;   OK     A' AS  FT! 


REPORT 


[XIVERSITY,  LAND  AND  BUILDING 


PUBLISHED  BV  AUTHORITY. 


OLYMIMA,  WASH.: 
('.    WHITE.  ^TATK    1'RINTKU. 


STA/TE   OF 


REPOKT 


OF   THE 


UNIVERSITY  LAND  AND  BUILDING  Ci 


1893. 


PUBLISHED  BY  AUTHORITY. 


OLYMPIA,  WASH. : 
O.  C.  WHITE,       .      .      .      STATE   PRINTER. 

1892. 


UP 


REPORT. 


SEATTLE,  WASHINGTON,  Nov.  29,  1892. 
To  the  Governor: 

We  respectfully  submit  herewith  the  report  of  the  Board  of  Uni- 
versity Land  and  Building  Commissioners,  appointed  under  the  act 
of  the  legislature,  approved  March  7,  1891,  entitled  "An  act  pro- 
viding for  the  establishment,  location,  maintenance  and  support  of 
the  University  of  Washington."  (Session  Laws,  1891,  p.  229.) 

Pursuant  to  sec.  1  of  said  act,  the  board  of  regents  of  the  Uni- 
versity, on  May  12,  1891,  appointed  James  R.  Hayden,  of  Seattle, 
a  member  of  the  new  board;  he  entered  upon  his  duties  May  16, 
1891.  March  14,  1891,  the  executive  appointed  John  Arthur,  of 
Seattle;  John  McReavy,  of  Union  City,  and  Charles  F.  Leaven- 
worth,  of  Olympia,  as  members  for  four  years. 

Pursuant  to  sec.  2,  the  acting  governor  and  the  members  so  ap- 
pointed by  him  met  in  the  city  of  Seattle,  at  1  P.  M.  ,  on  the  first 
Monday  in  April,  A.  D.  1891,  and  organized  the  board.  They  elected 
John  Arthur,  of  Seattle,  president  pro  tempore;  Martin  D.  Smith, 
of  Spokane,  secretary;  William  E.  Boone,  of  Seattle,  architect  and 
superintendent  of  construction.  April  15, 1891,  Fred  G.  Plummer, 
of  Tacoma,  was  appointed  chief  engineer.  Secretary  Smith  resigned 
his  position  June  15,  1891.  Upon  his  resignation  the  board  elected 
James  R.  Hayden  as  secretary,  without  salary,  and  authorized  him 
to  employ  an  assistant. 

DEEDS  FOR  OLD  UNIVERSITY  SITE. 

Immediately  upon  the  organization  of  the  board,  one  of  its  mem- 
bers was  instructed  to  procure  the  deeds  referred  to  in  sec.  5  of  the 
act  creating  the  board,  reading  as  follows: 

"SEC.  5.  As  soon  as  practicable  after  the  original  donors,  their  succes- 
sors or  assigns,  and  the  corporate  authorities  of  the  city  of  Seattle  have 
executed  and  delivered  to  the  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building 
Commissioners  deeds  in  proper  form,  forever  quitclaiming  and  releasing 
to  the  State  of  Washington  all  claims  of  right,  title  interest  and  estate,  of 


STATE   UNIVERSITY 


every  name  and  nature,  they  may  have,  as  the  successors  in  interest,  or 
otherwise,  of  the  town  of  Seattle,  or  any  other  party,  in  and  to  a  certain 
tract  of  land,  containing  ten  acres  more  or  less,  in  the  city  of  Seattle,  now 
known  and  occupied  as  the  site  of  the  University  of  Washington,  which 
said  ten  acre  tract  was  conveyed  to  the  Territory  of  Washington  by  A.  A. 
Denny  and  wife,  C.  C.  Terry  and  wife  and  Edward  Lander,  in  April,  1861^ 
which  deeds  shall  be  duly  recorded  in  the  office  of  the  county  auditor, 
said  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners  shall  proceed 
to  locate  the  University  on  a  tract  of  land  not  to  exceed  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  the  fractional  school  section  described  as  follows,  to  wit: 
Section  sixteen  (16)  in  township  twenty-five,  north  of  range  four  east, 
which  said  fractional  school  section  is  within  a  radius  of  six  miles  of  the 
present  site  of  the  University  of  Washington,  in  the  city  of  Seattle." 

All  those  deeds  were  procured  and  filed  for  record  within  a  little 
more  than  one  month  from  the  date  of  the  organization  of  the  board. 

TEN  ACRE  TRACT  IN  SEATTLE. 

Immediately  upon  the  recording  of  the  quitclaim  deeds  from  all 
parties  in  interest  to  the  old  University  site  in  Seattle,  the  board 
directed  the  chief  engineer  to  make  a  careful  survey  of  that  ten  acre 
tract  and  prepare  a  plat  of  it  in  lots  and  blocks,  conformably  to  the 
plan  of  the  adjoining  portion  of  the  city  of  Seattle.  Early  in  the 
summer  of  1891  he  did  so.  The  plat  made  by  him  has  not  been  ex- 
ecuted by  the  board,  for  reasons  stated  below. 

In  compliance  with  section  six  of  the  law,  the  acting  governor  ap- 
pointed Hon.  Miles  C.  Moore,  of  Walla  Walla;  the  mayor  of  Seattle 
appointed  Hon.  M.S.  Drew,  of  Seattle;  and  the  board  appointed  Rob- 
ert Wingate,  of  Tacoma,  as  the  appraisers  of  the  tract.  Mr.  Win- 
gate  was  absent  from  the  state  at  the  time  designated  for  the 
meeting  of  the  appraisers,  and  the  board  appointed  Isaac  W.  An- 
derson, of  Tacoma,  in  his  stead.  Messrs.  Moore,  Drew  and  Ander- 
son duly  met  and  qualified,  and  organized  by  choosing  Mr.  Moore 
as  chairman  and  Mr.  Anderson  as  secretary.  In  August,  1891,  they 
made  an  examination  of  the  tract  for  the  purpose  of  appraising  it 
by  lots,  by  blocks,  and  as  a  whole.  At  the  close  of  the  investiga- 
tions made  by  them  concerning  the  condition  of  the  real  estate 
market  in  Seattle  at  that  time,  and  the  prices  which  could  be  ob- 
tained for  lots  in  the  University  tract,  we  learned  that  their  valua- 
tion, in  detail  and  as  a  whole,  would  fall  far  below  the  prices  for 
which  we  would  consent  to  sell.  At  that  time  there  was  no  activity 
in  real  property  business  in  Seattle  or  in  any  other  part  of  the  state. 
There  was  no  demand  for  high  priced  city  property. 


LAND  AND  BUILDING  COMMISSION. 


We  unanimously  decided  to  sell  no  part  of  the  tract  during  the 
continuance  of  the  financial  stagnation  then  prevailing.  We  there- 
fore requested  the  appraisers  to  postpone  the  making  of  the  appraise- 
ment to  such  time  as  the  board  should  thereafter  indicate.  They 
did  so.  We  have  not  yet  called  upon  those  gentlemen  to  complete 
the  task  which  they  kindly  undertook  for  us. 

It  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  section  six  of  the  act,  that  the  board 
is  not  clothed  with  the  discretionary  power  to  reject  all  bids  for  the 
property  which  it  considers  too  low.  If  the  best  bid  be  as  high  as 
the  appraised  value,  the  bidder  is  entitled  to  the  land,  even  though 
the  board  deem  his  bid  much  too  low.  The  language  of  the  act  is: 

"At  the  time  appointed  for  the  sale  the  board  shall  publicly  open  and 
announce  all  bids  received,  by  mail  or  otherwise,  and  invite  other  bids. 
The  highest  bid  made  on  the  day  of  sale  shall  be  accepted,  unless  it  is  less 
than  the  appraised  value  of  the  parcel  of  land  bid  for,  in  which  event  the 
board  shall  postpone  the  sale  and  re-advertise." 

We  regard  this  want  of  discretionary  power  as  a  defect  in  the 
law.  The  board  should  be  given  authority  to  reject  a  bid  for  any 
parcel  of  the  land,  or  for  the  whole  tract,  when  in  its  judgment  the 
price  bid  is  inadequate;  just  as  it  has  the  power  to  reject  at  its  dis- 
cretion all  bids  for  the  construction  of  buildings  which  it  deems  too 
high. 

This  ten  acre  tract  is  the  most  valuable  piece  of  property  which 
the  state  possesses.  It  should  not  be  sold  for  less  than  one-half 
million  dollars  ($500,000).  It  ought  to  be  held  until  it  brings  from 
$750,000  to  $1,000,000. 

Had  the  appraisement  been  made  during  the  monetary  depression 
of  1 89 1  and  the  property  been  sold  as  the  act  contemplates,  it  is  doubt- 
ful whether  we  could  have  realized  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
dollars  ($150,000)  from  it.  No  member  of  the  board  would  give  his 
consent  to  the  making  of  such  a  sacrifice,  even  for  the  purpose  of 
building  a  new  university. 

Being  situated  in  the  heart  of  the  largest  city  in  the  state,  no 
other  land  owned  by  the  state  will  grow  so  rapidly  in  value.  With 
a  population  of  one  hundred  thousand  in  Seattle  this  tract  will 
bring  a  full  million  dollars.  This  increase  of  population  will  be 
realized  within  the  next  five  years.  The  proceeds  arising  from  the 
sale  of  this  tract  should  be  applied  to  the  erection  of  the  buildings 
needed,  with  the  main  building,  to  make  a  real  university.  The 
fund  for  the  construction  of  the  main  building,  the  engine  house 


6  WASHINGTON  STATE   UNIVERSITY 

and  the  dormitories,  dining  room  and  kitchen,  and  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  grounds,  should  be  provided  from  some  other  source. 
Sec.  17  of  the  enabling  act  of  congress  grants  to  Washington 
"for  state  charitable,  educational,  penal  and  reformatory  institu- 
tions two  hundred  thousand  acres"  of  the  public  lands.  It  is  clear 
that  no  part  of  this  grant  was  intended  for  common  schools,  for 
the  scientific  school  or  for  the  normal  schools,  or  for  public  build- 
ings at  the  state  capital.  Munificent  grants  are  provided  for  these 
institutions,  and  are  followed  by  this  general  grant  of  two  hundred 
thousand  acres.  One-half  of  this  grant  should  be  allotted  to  the 
University.  With  an  endowment  of  100,000  acres,  in  addition  to 
the  quantity  yet  to  be  selected  under  the  old  reservation  of  two 
townships,  those  buildings  could  be  constructed,  and  the  University 
grounds  cleared  and  beautified,  without  trenching  upon  the  ten  acre 
tract  in  Seattle. 

QUANTITY  OF  LANDS  TO  BE  SELECTED. 

Sec.  4  of  the  act  reads  as  follows: 

"The  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners  are 
hereby  authorized  and  directed  to  ascertain  how  much  land  is  left  of  the 
grant  made  to  the  State  of  Washington  for  university  purposes  by  the  act 
of  congress,  commonly  called  the  enabling  act,  approved  February  22,  A.  D. 
1889;  how  much  has  been  selected  and  remains  unsold;  how  much  re- 
mains to  be  selected,  and  shall  select  the  quantity  yet  to  be  selected  as 
rapidly  as  possible  in  the  manner  prescribed  by  law." 

At  its  meeting  on  April  7,  1891,  the  board  instructed  one  of  its 
members  "to  proceed  to  the  city  of  Washington  and  examine  in 
the  general  land  office  the  original  lists  of  selections  of  lauds  in  the 
Territory  of  Washington  for  university  purposes,  and  to  procure 
certified  copies  thereof,  and  to  do  all  matters  and  things  in  relation 
thereto  which  he  shall  find  expedient  and  necessary." 

In  compliance  with  this  instruction,  he  went  in  the  latter  part  of 
May,  1891,  to  the  city  of  Washington  and  made  the  examination 
as  required.  He  procured  certified  copies  of  the  various  lists  of 
lands  selected  by  the  authorities  of  the  Territory  of  Washington 
for  university  purposes  under  the  reservation  of  two  townships  of 
land  made  by  congress  July  17,  1854,  and  the  act  of  the  legislative 
assembly  of  the  Territory  of  Washington  authorizing  the  sale  of 
the  lands  so  reserved;  together  with  copies  of  documents  on  file  in 
the  general  land  office  bearing  upon  the  selection  and  sale  of  these 
lands  by  the  territorial  authorities,  and  considered  important  as 


LAND  AND  BUILDING  COMMISSION. 


throwing  light  on  the  proceedings  by  which  the  State  of  Washing- 
ton has  been  deprived  of  nearly  all  of  the  forty-six  thousand  and 
eighty  acres  reserved  by  congress  in  1854. 

At  that  time  twenty-one  lists  of  such  selections  by  the  territorial 
authorities  had  been  approved  by  the  land  department.  These  lists 
embrace  an  aggregate  of  44,909  ^  acres.  November  4,  1891,  the 
land  department  approved  list  No.  22  for  160  acres.  This  leaves 
one  thousand  and  ten  andr5o4o  1,010^&  acres  still  due  the  state. 


UNSELECTED  LANDS. 

The  board  has  made  no  selection  of  the  lands  still  due  to  the  state 
for  the  University.  Soon  after  it  had  ascertained  the  exact  amount 
unselected,  all  work  upon  the  construction  of  the  University  was 
stopped,  as  will  be  narrated  hereafter,  and  the  board  was  deprived 
of  the  means  wherewith  to  have  the  lands  properly  examined  and 
selected,  and  the  necessary  non-mineral  affidavits  made  in  the  United 
States  land  offices.  Each  forty  acre  tract  selected  must  be  carefully 
examined,  and  the  examiner  must  make  affidavit  to  that  fact,  and 
also  that  there  is  not,  to  his  knowledge,  within  the  limits  thereof, 
any  lode  or  vein  of  quartz,  or  other  rock  in  place,  bearing  gold,  sil- 
ver, cinnabar,  lead,  tin  or  copper,  or  any  deposit  of  coal  ;  that  there 
is  not,  within  the  limits  thereof,  to  his  knowledge  any  placer,  cement, 
gravel  or  other  valuable  mineral  deposit;  that  no  portion  thereof 
is  claimed  for  mining  purposes  under  the  local  customs  or  rules  of 
miners  or  otherwise  ;  that  no  portion  thereof  is  worked  for  mineral 
during  any  portion  of  the  year  by  any  person  or  persons  ;  and  that 
the  land  is  essentially  non-mineral  land,  and  that  the  application 
therefor  is  not  made  for  the  purpose  of  fraudulently  obtaining  title 
to  mineral  land,  but  with  the  object  of  securing  said  land  for  agri- 
cultural purposes.  The  board  has  made  unremitting  efforts  to  se- 
cure such  examination  of  the  amount  of  lands  still  due  to  it,  but  has 
entirely  failed,  owing  to  the  lack  of  funds  wherewith  to  pay  the 
necessary  expenses. 

SELECTED  LANDS  UNSOLD. 

Shortly  before  the  preparation  of  this  report,  Mr.  Daniel  Bagley, 
formerly  president  of  the  Board  of  University  Commissioners, 
which  had  charge  of  the  University  lands,  informed  us  that  he  had 
in  his  possession  data  showing  that  about  2,000  acres  of  the  lands 
selected  by  the  University,  and  approved  by  the  land  department  of 


WASHINGTON  STATE   UNIVERSITY 


the  United  States,  still  remain  unsold.  We  have  not  yet  received 
such  data.  As  the  matter  stands,  it  is  simply  impossible  for  the 
board  to  determine  what  lands  have  been  sold  by  the  former  author- 
ities, and  what  lands  are  still  owned  by  the  state  for  the  University. 
The  act  creating  this  board  makes  no  provision  for  the  transfer  to 
it  of  such  records  concerning  those  lands  as  remain  in  the  possession 
of  the  board  of  regents.  We  applied  to  the  board  of  regents  for 
the  delivery  of  those  records  to  us.  The  regents,  finding  no  authority 
for  doing  so,  refused  the  application.  Subsequently  they  gave  us 
some  memoranda,  which  are  so  brief,  disconnected  and  unintel- 
ligible as  to  be  worthless.  The  records  and  data  which  Mr.  Bagley 
refers  to  are  in  his  own  possession,  and  have  always  been  treated 
by  him  as  his  property.  This  board  ought  to  have  in  its  pos- 
session all  existing  records  and  data  concerning  the  sales  which  have 
been  made. 

This  act  is  further  defective  in  failing  to  give  the  board  authority 
to  sell  university  lands,  other  than  the  ten  acre  tract  in  Seattle. 
Such  authority,  under  proper  restrictions,  should  be  conferred,  un- 
less the  legislature  can,  without  such  sales,  provide  the  means  for 
carrying  on,  during  the  next  two  years,  the  expensive  work  of  con- 
structing a  creditable  university  and  of  putting  a  large  tract  of 
timbered  land  in  suitable  condition  therefor. 

LOCATION  OF  THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

At  its  meeting  on  the  5th  day  of  August,  1891,  the  board  located 
the  University  of  Washington.  August  6,  1891,  it  adopted  the  fol- 
lowing declaration  of  such  location: 

WHEREAS,  The  legislature  of  the  State  of  Washington,  by  an  act  ap- 
proved on  the  7th  day  of  March,  A.  D.  1891,  entitled,  "An  act  providing 
for  the  establishment,  location,  maintenance  and  support  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Washington,"  provided  for  the  establishment  of  the  Board  of  Uni- 
versity Land  and.  Building  Commissioners,  to  be  charged  with  the  duty  of 
carrying  said  act  into  effect;  and, 

WHEREAS,  The  members  of  the  said  board  were  duly  appointed  and 
commissioned,  as  in  said  act  provided,  and  duly  organized  said  board  on 
the  6th  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1891,  being  the  first  Monday  in  said  month,  as 
therein  provided;  and, 

WHEREAS,  The  original  donors,  their  successors  and  assigns,  and  the 
corporate  authorities  of  the  city  of  Seattle,  have  executed  and  delivered 
to  said  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners  deeds  in 
proper  form,  forever  quitclaiming  and  releasing  to  the  State  of  Washing- 
ton all  claim  of  right,  title,  interest  and  estate,  of  every  name  and  nature, 


LAND  AND  BUILDING  COMMISSION.  9 

they  might  have  had  as  successors,  in  interest  or  otherwise,  of  the  town 
of  Seattle,  or  any  other  property  in  and  to  that  certain  tract  of  land,  con- 
taining ten  (10)  acres,  more  or  less,  in  the  city  of  Seattle,  now  known  and 
occupied  as  the  site  of  the  University  of  Washington,  which  said  ten  acre 
tract  was  conveyed  to  the  Territory  of  Washington  by  A.  A.  Denny  and 
wife,  C.  C.  Terry  and  wife  and  Edward  Lander,  in  April,  1861,  which  said 
deeds  have  been  duly  recorded  in  the  records  of  the  county  of  King,  State 
of  Washington;  and, 

WHEREAS,  All  and  singular,  the  provisions  of  the  said  act  of  the  legis- 
lature have  been  by  said  board  duly  complied  with  and  carried  into 
effect: 

\»'r,  therefore,  In  consideration  of  the  premises,  the  said  Board  of  Uni- 
versity Land  and  Building  Commissioners,  at  its  regular  semi-monthly 
meeting,  held  at  its  office  in  the  city  of  Seattle,  on  the  5th  day  of  August, 
A.  D.  1891,  did  duly  locate  the  University  of  Washington  on  a  tract  of 
land  not  exceeding  160  acres  of  the  fractional  school  section,  described  as 
follows,  to  wit:  Section  16,  township  25  north  of  range  4  east,  which  said 
fractional  school  section  is  within  a  radius  of  six  miles  of  the  present  site 
of  the  University  of  Washington,  in  the  eity  of  Seattle,  which  said  tract 
of  land  is  more  particularly  described  as  follows,  to  wit:  Beginning 
at  the  quarter  section  corner  on  the  west  boundary  of  section  16,  town- 
ship 25  north,  range  4  east,  Willamette  meridian:  run  thence  east  32 
chains,  north  80°  east  18.50  chains,  east  6.88  chains  to  the  shore  of  Lake 
Washington;  thence  with  the  meanders  of  the  lake  south  3°  west  22.30 
chains,  south  16°30'  east  24  chains,  south  36°  west  8  chains,  south  3°45' 
west  6.93  chains,  to  the  fractional  section  corner  to  sections  16  and  21; 
thence  west  27.08  chains  to  the  fractional  section  corner  to  sections  16  and 
21  on  Lake  Union;  thence  with  the  meanders  of  the  lake  north  25°  west 
20  chains,  north  83°30'  west  4.68  chains,  to  the  fractional  section  corner 
between  sections  16  and  17;  thence  north  20.78  chains  to  the  place  of  be- 
ginning, containing  160  acres,  according  to  the  government  survey,  and 
covers  all  of  the  fractional  south  half,  and  a  portion  of  lot  number  3  of 
said  section,  and  fronts  directly  upon  Lake  Washington  and  Lake  Union; 
and  which  said  tract  is,  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  section  5  of  said  act, 
hereby  forever  reserved  from  disposal  or  sale,  and  dedicated  exclusively 
to  university  educational  purposes. 

In  witness  whereof ,  The  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Com- 
missioners, namely,  John  Arthur,  John  McReavy,  Charles  F.  Leaven- 
worth,  and  James  R.  Hayden,  have  hereunto  set  their  hands  and  affixed 
the  official  seal  of  said  board,  this  6th  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1891. 

JOHN  ARTHUR. 
JOHN  MCREAVY, 
CHARLES  F.  LEAVENWORTH, 
JAMES  R.  HAYDEN, 
Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners. 

Done  by  the  board:  JOHN  ARTHTR,  President  pro  tewpore. 

Attest:  JAMES  R.  HAYDEN,  Secretary. 
[SEAL  OF  THE  BOARD.] 

Executed  in  presence  of  W.  E.  Boone,  Isaac  W.  Anderson,  Jos.  W. 
Gregory. 


10  WASHINGTON  STATE   UNIVERSITY 

STATE  OF  WASHINGTON,  COUNTY  OF  KING,  ss. 

This  is  to  certify  that  on  the  6th  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1891,  before  me, 
Jos.  W.  Gregory,  a  notary  public  in  and  for  the  State  of  Washington,  duly 
commissioned  and  sworn,  personally  appeared  John  Arthur,  John  Mc- 
Reavy,  Charles  F.  Leavenworth  and  James  R.  Hayden,  to  me  known  to 
be  the  identical  persons  described  in  and  who  executed  the  foregoing  in- 
strument, and  severally  acknowledged  to  me  that  they  executed  the  same, 
as  the  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners  of  the  State 
of  Washington,  and  for  and  on  behalf  of  the  State  of  Washington,  freely 
and  voluntarily,  for  the  uses  and  purposes  therein  mentioned. 

Witness  my  hand  and  official  seal,  this  6th  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1891. 

Jos.  W.  GREGORY, 

Notary  Public  in  and  for  the  State  of  Washington,  residing  in  Seattle. 
[NOTARIAL  SEAL.] 

ARCHITECT'S  REPORT. 

We  present  herewith  the  report  of  William  E.  Boone,  the  archi- 
tect (omitting  the  appendix  and  plat  therein  mentioned).  It  will 
be  seen  that  it  treats  succinctly  a  genuine  university  system  —  not 
a  mere  high  school : 

To  the  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners  of  the  State 
of  Washington: 

GENTLEMEN  —  In  considering  the  question  of  arranging  plans  for  the 
building  of  the  University  of  Washington,  it  was  deemed  proper  by  your 
architect  to  make  as  complete  a  study  as  practicable  of  the  most  noted 
and  successful  universities  in  other  portions  of  the  country;  to  examine 
into  their  faults;  to  profit  from  their  success,  and  to  take  advantage  of  the 
results  which  have  been  obtained  by  costly  experiments.  With  this  object 
in  view,  a  careful  canvass  has  been  made  of  the  various  buildings  con- 
structed elsewhere,  and  of  their  workings;  and,  in  addition,  correspond- 
ence and  interviews  have  been  had  with  well  known  professors  of 
experience  in  their  special  scholastic  departments.  No  effort  has  been 
relaxed.  No  subject  that  might  possibly  have  a  bearing  upon  and  lead  us 
to  the  success  of  the  undertaking  has  been  considered  unworthy  of  con- 
sideration. An  appendix,  giving  the  results  of  our  examination  of  other 
universities,  is  annexed  to  this  report  and  made  a  part  of  it. 

But  very  few  of  the  eastern  universities  have  had  their  colleges  con- 
structed under  auspices  so  favorable  and  fortunate  as  those  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Washington.  Commenced  at  times  when  the  country  was  not 
in  as  nourishing  a  condition  as  at  present,  the  older  universities  have  had 
their  buildings  added  to  from  time  to  time,  and  new  structures  have  been 
wedged  in  between  older  ones  in  such  a  heterogeneous  manner  that  they 
have  been  rendered  inconvenient,  incongruous  and  inharmonious.  In 
many  instances,  from  lack  of  space  for  concentration,  they  have  been 
separated  for  miles.  It  is,  indeed,  fortunate  that  the  State  of  Washington 
is  relieved  of  this  serious  drawback;  for,  with  our  allotment  of  ground, 
the  buildings  can  be  so  planned  and  grouped  that,  when  all  are  finished,. 


LAND  AND  BUILDING   COMMISSION. 


they  will  form  a  complete  and  symmetrical  system.  The  requirements 
of  the  present  must  not  abridge  the  wants  of  the  future. 

Topographical  difficulties  have  been  considered  closely.  They  need 
never  stand  in  the  way  of  placing  other  buildings,  in  the  future,  one  after 
another,  as  they  may  be  found  desirable,  in  eligible,  orderly  and  symme- 
trical relation  and  connection  with  those  earlier  provided.  The  University 
of  Washington  will  occupy  an  exceptionally  advantageous  position  in 
healthfuluess  and  accessibility;  to  say  nothing  of  the  beauty  and  grandeur 
of  the  adjacent  lakes  and  gracefully  rounded  hills  and  serrated  mountain 
crests,  clothed  with  primeval  forests,  which  are  ever  in  full  view.  What 
others  have  done  in  some  rich  communities  is  tame  and  insipid  in  com- 
parison with  what  nature  has  here  furnished  without  cost.  In  the  loca- 
tion of  the  buildings,  these  considerations  have  not  been  neglected.  There 
are  all  around  the  buildings  such  views  as,  for  variety  and  grandeur,  can 
rarely  be  met  with.  These,  if  preserved,  will  confer  upon  the  University 
a  character  of  unrivaled  beauty  and  attractive  interest. 

With  this  brief  introduction,  let  me  explain  the  plan  proposed  for  the 
buildings  which  shall  constitute  the  University  of  Washington.  A  plat  of 
the  ground,  upon  which  the  various  colleges  are  proposed  to  be  located, 
is  herewith  submitted  for  your  approval  and  adoption. 

Water  must  be  bountifully  provided,  either  from  Lake  Washington  or 
by  artesian  work,  and  stored  in  tank  reservoir;  in  which  case  a  water 
tower  must  be  constructed  in  a  central  location,  so  that  all  buildings  may 
be  supplied  economically  by  pressure.  This  tower  would  be  better  lo- 
cated near  the  buildings  in  which  are  placed  the  boilers  for  heating. 

It  is  proposed  to  heat  the  buildings  by  steam;  the  boilers  in  batteries 
to  be  as  central  as  possible.  The  boilers  and  engines  are  located  in  a 
portion  of  the  building  arranged  for  the  manual  training  department. 
It  is  proposed  to  light  the  buildings  and  grounds  by  electricity.  A  sys- 
tem of  sewerage  must  be  thoroughly  considered  as  soon  as  the  need  there- 
for shall  have  arisen.  No  natural  barrier  exists  to  prevent  proper  flow 
and  flush. 

Upon  entering  the  grounds,  the  first  college  approached  is 

BIOLOGICAL    HALL. 

Here  the  student  must  acquaint  himself  with  the  problems  which  have 
to  do  with  the  life,  growth  and  reproduction  of  plants  and  animals;  with 
the  structure,  origin  and  composition  of  the  soil;  with  the  varying  con- 
ditions of  the  air;  and,  in  general,  with  the  great  forces  of  nature.  In 
the  — 

Basement  are  proposed  to  be  arranged  the  testing  room,  crematory, 
propagating  rooms,  vivisection  room,  store  rooms,  work  rooms,  toilet 
rooms  and  head  gardener's  office. 

First  Floor:  Departments  of  agriculture,  horticulture,  botany,  arbori- 
culture, with  professors'  rooms;  herbarium,  lecture  rooms,  class  rooms, 
library,  aquarium,  general  museum  and  the  various  laboratories  and 
cabinets. 

Second  Floor:  Gallery  of  general  museum,  zoological  and  entomologi- 


12  WASHINGTON  STATE   UNIVERSITY 

cal  laboratories,  lecture  and  class  rooms,  professors1  rooms.  About  ten 
acres  of  ground  should  be  allotted  for  the  accommodation  of  glass  struct- 
ures, outdoor  aquarium,  arboretum,  rockeries,  ferneries  and  ornamental 
grounds. 

The  next  building  approached  is 

CHEMICAL   HALL. 

This  building  is  being  planned  after  a  careful  study  of  the  newest  and 
best  arranged  laboratories  of  Europe  and  this  country,  covering  arrange- 
ments for  equipping  it  throughout  with  approved  apparatus  in  the  most 
thorough  manner.  The  work  rooms  convenient,  commodious,  well 
lighted  and  adapted  to  the  study  of  chemistry  in  all  its  branches.  Each 
room  to  have  its  ventilating  hoods,  steam  and  sand  baths,  drying  ovens, 
filtering  pumps,  etc.  Each  table  to  be  supplied  with  a  complete  set  of 
re-agents,  gas  and  running  water,  supplied  through  glass  or  tinned  pipes. 

Basement:  A  large  general  laboratory  in  which  eighty  students  can  be 
provided  with  conveniences  for  work  at  the  same  time.  Adjacent  are 
rooms  for  storage  of  apparatuses  and  chemicals,  and  for  assaying,  com- 
bustion and  distilling;  repairing  and  testing  rooms. 

First  Floor :  Qualitative  laboratory  for  thirty-two  students  at  one  time, 
lecture  room  and  class  room,  special  analytical  laboratory,  room  for  an- 
alysis of  gases,  store  rooms  and  museums. 

Second  Floor:  Lecture  room  capable  of  seating  two  hundred  and  fifty 
students,  qualitative  laboratory  with  tables  for  thirty  students,  library, 
balance  room,  professors'  study  rooms  and  special  laboratories,  store 
rooms  and  apparatus  rooms,  dark  and  photographic  rooms. 

HALL   OF   LAW   AND   MEDICINE. 

This  college  to  contain  rooms  for  professors,  lecture  and  class  rooms, 
law  library,  reading  and  consultation  rooms,  toilet  rooms,  storage  rooms, 
medical  library,  theatre,  crematory,  museum,  laboratories,  dispensary 
and  consulting  rooms. 

ADMINISTRATION   AND    BELLES    LETTHKS. 

This  building,  to  be  first  constructed,  requires  a  more  extended  de- 
scription, because  fully  developed.  It  has  a  frontage  of  276  feet  and  60 
feet  wide,  with  wings  thrown  back  at  the  flanks,  each  28x35,  and  the  as- 
sembly hall  placed  in  the  center  and  to  the  rear  74  x  116. 

Basement:  Eleven  feet  high,  contains  four  class  rooms  20x22,  four 
class  rooms  20x23,  two  class  rooms  20x24,  two  lecture  rooms  24  x33,  two 
professors'  rooms  10x12,  one  professor's  room  20x31,  one  cloak  room 
11  x20,  three  cloak  rooms  8'6"x20,  one  janitor's  room  20x20,  and  another 
10x20,  two  toilet  rooms  each  24x33,  engineer's  room  14x14,  boiler  and 
fuel  rooms  34x45  and  14  x  14,  and  a  room  under  the  assembly  hall  63x70, 
which  temporarily  may  be  occupied  for  gymnastic  purposes.  There  are 
eight  entrances  to  this  story. 

First  Story:  Fourteen  feet  6  inches  high,  contains  two  class  rooms 
20  x  24,  four  class  rooms  20  x  23,  one  class  room  20  x  22,  four  lecture  rooms 
24x33,  two  professors'  rooms  12  x  16'6",  two  cloak  rooms  8'6"x20,  faculty 


LAND  AND  BUILDING   COMMISSION.  13 

room  10x22,  regents'  and  commissioners'  room  20x22,  room  for  secre 
tary  and  treasurer  20x23,  vault  8x8,  president's  room  20x20,  and  an- 
other 12x21,  reception  room  20x31,  ladies'  retiring  room  11x12,  parlor 
20  x  23,  library  22  x  20,  assembly  hall  70  x  76,  two  dressing  rooms  14  x  14. 

This  hall,  arranged  with  sloping  floors  and  seating,  which,  together 
with  gallery,  will  accommodate  fifteen  hundred,  stage  seating  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty.  Special  entrances  are  provided  for  the  stage  and  dressing 
or  retiring  rooms.  The  foyers  are  large,  light  and  airy.  Proper  thought 
has  been  bestowed  upon  the  acoustic  ventilation  and  lighting,  also  upon 
ingress  and  egress.  The  main  foyer  on  the  first  floor  is  directly  approach- 
able from  the  main  entrance  to  building,  and  is  surrounded  by  a  foyer 
gallery  on  the  second  floor  which  opens  directly  from  the  gallery  of  the 
assembly  hall.  These  foyers  are  served  with  daylight  from  a  domical 
skylight,  being  open  to  the  roof.  There  are  provided  nine  external  en- 
trances to  this  story. 

Two  stairways  within  the  assembly  hall,  and  three  commodious  stair- 
ways from  the  corridors  conduct  to  the  — 

Second  Story:  Fourteen  feet  six  inches  high,  which  contains  two  lecture 
rooms  24  x33,  two  preparatory  rooms  24x48,  two  class  rooms  16x24,  four 
class  rooms  22x20,  four  class  rooms  20x23,  one  class  room  20x31,  three 
cloak  rooms  8'6"x20,  one  cloak  room  11x20,  two  cloak  rooms  7x15' 6", 
two  professors'  rooms  10x12,  one  professor's  room  20x20,  ante  room 
12x14. 

It  has  been  thought  advisable,  as  this  building  must  be  occupied  by  other 
departments  until  their  special  colleges  are  erected  —  the  construction  of 
which  must  necessarily  be  delayed  —  to  finish  the  roof  story.  This  will 
finish  twelve  feet  high,  and  may  contain  the  same  number  of  rooms  as 
are  provided  for  the  second  floor.  These  will  all  be  well  lighted  and  ac- 
cessible. 

To  recapitulate:  Including  upper  story,  accommodations  are  provided 
for  10  lecture  rooms,  36  class  rooms,  13  professors' rooms,  18  cloak  rooms, 
2  janitors'  rooms,  1  engineer's  room,  besides  preparatory  rooms  and  large 
toilet  service,  and  rooms  for  the  regents  and  commissioners,  president, 
faculty,  secretary  and  treasurer;  reception  and  parlors,  library,  assem- 
bly and  retiring,  and  one  large  storage  room,  connecting  with  secretary's 
room,  for  stationery,  etc. 

It  is  the  intention  to  make  this  building  (and  in  fact  all  buildings  ex- 
cept residences)  essentially  fire  proof,  constructing  the  outer  walls  of 
stone,  the  inner  walls  of  brick,  and  facing  all  outer  walls  on  the  inside 
with  porus  terra  cotta  or  hollow  brick,  using  steel  beams  and  porus  terra 
cotta  for  the  floors,  and  iron  roof  for  the  assembly  hall.  The  corridor  and 
vestibule  floors  are  to  be  tiled.  The  exterior  is  of  simple  design,  in  Schol- 
astic Gothic,  and  constructed  with  a  light  colored  stone  laid  up  in  rock 
face,  the  only  emphasis  being  made  in  the  tower.  The  tower  should  con- 
tain the  great  bell  of  the  University,  and  a  good  clock  with  proper  dials; 
these  dials,  of  glass,  to  be  illuminated  at  night,  as  they  will  be  seen  for  a 
long  distance.  It  is  proposed  to  use  slate  or  tiles  for  the  roofs.  A  com- 
plete set  of  plans  accompany  this  report. 


WASHINGTON  STATE   UNIVERSITY 


The  next  building  in  order  of  location  is  the 

HALL   OF   MATHEMATICS  AND  OF   MINES. 

This  building  is  to  accommodate  the  departments  of  mathematics, 
civil  and  electrical  engineering,  mineralogy,  metallurgy  and  geology, 
and  to  provide  class  and  lecture  rooms,  professors'  rooms,  laboratories, 
library  for  each  department,  general  museum,  apparatus  rooms,  repair- 
ing and  drawing  rooms,  toilet  and  storage  rooms.  Then  comes  the 

ART    BUILDING. 

To  provide  for  the  departments  of  architecture,  painting,  sculpture, 
music,  drawing,  with  professors,  class  lecture  and  modeling  rooms;  library, 
studios  for  painting;  piano  rooms,  specially  planned  to  retain  the  sound 
within  themselves;  music  hall,  with  organ;  art  gallery,  arranged  for  the 
display  of  paintings,  drawings,  photos  and  models;  repairing  and  storage 
rooms.  It  is  proposed  to  arrange  the  plan  of  this  building  so  that  the 
court  between  the  wings  may  be  economically  enclosed  and  roofed,  thus 
securing  a  grand  opportunity  for  a  commodious  art  gallery  or  hall. 

GENERAL   LIBRARY. 

This  building  is  arranged  for  a  stack  and  reading  room,  librarian's 
room,  card  and  catalogue  rooms,  special  students'  room,  faculty  rooms, 
rooms  for  maps,  periodicals  and  newspapers;  toilet  rooms,  bindery,  work, 
package  and  storage  rooms. 

GYMNASIUM. 

Placed  facing  the  campus,  this  building  will  contain  rooms  for  the  pro- 
fessors of  physical  culture  and  gymnastics,  of  military  science  and  tactics, 
and  instructor  in  gymnastics;  gymnasium,  about45x90;  drill  room,  same 
size;  band  and  military  store  room;  armory  rooms  for  fencing,  sparring 
and  weighing;  swimming  tank,  about  16x50,  with  dressing  rooms  and 
lockers,  and  about  twenty  bath  rooms;  linen  closets;  toilet  rooms;  bowl- 
ing alley,  70  feet  long;  rowing  tank;  bicycle  racks;  running  track  and 
gallery  for  visitors,  and  a  baseball  cage.  Not  very  far  from  this  building 
should  be  the  baseball  and  cricket  grounds,  having  a  public  stand  struct- 
ure of  neat  design.  All  the  buildings  which  have  been  described,  includ- 
ing the  observatory,  face  the  main  driveway  and  the  campus.  The 
campus  will  be  about  thirty  acres  in  extent. 

OBSERVATORY. 

This  building  will  contain  professors'  rooms,  library,  clock  room,  com- 
puting rooms,  transit  room,  meteorological  room  and  dome,  with  repair- 
ing and  store  rooms.  It  will  be  located  at  a  sufficiently  remote  point 
from  the  railroad  to  escape  magnetic  and  vibratory  disturbance. 

DORMITORIES  AND  DINING  HALL. 

The  dormitory  for  women  is  to  consist  of  a  basement,  first,  second  and 
attic  story,  and  to  contain  gymnasium  and  physical  culture  room,  labora- 
tory with  greenhouse  attached,  lecture  room,  parlors,  museum  or  cabinet, 
matron's  and  housekeeper's  rooms,  servants'  rooms,  linen,  bedding  and 
storage  rooms,  chute  for  soiled  linen  directly  to  basement;  toilet  rooms, 


LAND  AND  BUILDING  COMMISSION.  15 

sewing  room,  dormitories  en  suite,  consisting  of  study  room,  about  12  x  15, 
and  two  bed  rooms,  each  9x15,  with  closets.  The  grounds  which  adjoin, 
to  be  prepared  for  archery  practice  and  tennis,  with  walks  leading  to 
pleasant  spots,  for  the  purpose  of  inviting  and  encouraging  ourdoor  ex- 
ercise. The  dormitory  for  men  is  to  be  arranged  purely  for  sleeping  pur- 
poses, with  all  the  attendant  conveniences;  and  to  consist  of  basement, 
first,  second  and  attic  stories.  The  dining  hall  is  to  be  built  between  the 
dormitories,  and  to  consist  of  basement  and  one  high  story,  providing  for 
servants,  storage,  fuel,  coal,  sewing,  toilet  and  sundry  other  rooms  in 
basement;  also  laundry,  ironing  and  drying  rooms.  The  dining  hall  or 
room,  about  45x125,  will  contain  kitchen,  serving  room,  scullery,  china 
and  other  pantries  adjoining.  The  vegetable  or  root  cellar  is  to  be  entirely 
outside  of  the  building.  To  the  rear  of  this  building,  and  near  the  laun- 
dry are  large  grass  spaces  for  bleaching  purposes,  excluded  from  public 
sight  by  plantations  of  shrubbery.  The  wagon  road  also  approaches  the 
kitchen,  and  is  shut  out  from  sight  by  similar  planting. 

CHAPEL. 

A  site  is  reserved  for  this  structure;  it  is  located  near  the  dormatories. 

MANUAL   TRAINING  HALL. 

This  building  is  located  as  centrally  as  the  topography  of  the  grounds 
will  permit,  and  will  contain  iron  working  room,  about  50x60;  forge 
room,  about  30x60;  wood  working  room,  50x60;  painting  room,  20x40, 
with  two  rooms  adjoining;  drawing,  lecture  and  professors'  rooms;  lab- 
oratory, tool  and  grinding  rooms;  pattern,  finishing  and  carving  rooms; 
lumber  room;  storage  sheds;  toilet  rooms;  experimental  rooms;  machine 
shop,  stonecutting  and  bricklaying  sheds. 

The  site  upon  which  this  building  is  placed  falls  gradually  to  the  rear. 
This  allows  of  the  boiler  rooms  being  placed  in  the  basement,  which  will 
be  several  feet  below  the  level  of  the  other  buildings;  here  it  is  proposed 
to  place  the  battery  of  boilers  which  shall  generate  heat  for  the  entire 
group  of  buildings  of  the  university.  Here  also  are  to  be  placed  the  en- 
gines for  power,  and  dynamos  for  illumination  of  both  buildings  and 
grounds.  Engineer's  rooms  and  fuel  rooms  will,  of  course,  be  provided. 
The  water  tower  is  placed  within  the  court  formed  by  the  extending 
sheds.  Spur  tracks  connect  the  railroad  and  this  court. 

THE   STABLES 

Are  to  the  rear  of  all  the  buildings,  and  not  far  from  the  dock.  A 
wagon  road  leads  from  the  dock  and  the  stables  to  the  manual  training 
building  and  kitchen,  and  will  be  so  conducted  that,  by  judicious  plant- 
ing, the  character  of  its  uses  will  not  offend  the  eye. 

BOAT  HOUSE. 

As  rare  opportunities  will  be  afforded  the  students,  by  the  proximity 
of  Lake  Washington,  for  aquatic  sports,  it  is  proposed,  at  a  fitting  point, 
to  construct  a  boat  house  with  all  the  proper  conveniences  for  the  enjoy- 
ment of  this  royal  and  heathful  sport.  Pathways  skirting  the  lake  front- 


16  WASHINGTON  STATE   UNIVERSITY 

age  are  so  arranged  that  fully  ten  thousand  people  having  equal  views 
can  enjoy  the  regattas  and  scull  races  without  obstruction. 

I  have  considered  the  advantages  of  dockage,  gravel  and  sand  pits, 
water  conveyance  to  the  various  buildings,  sewerage  and  ventilation.  I 
have  endeavored  to  keep  in  view  in  the  construction  of  these  buildings 
everything  conducive  to  the  attainment  of  a  harmonious  and  symmetrical 
whole,  such  as  will  justify  us  in  considering  the  University  of  Washington 
as  one  of  the  most  attractive  institutions  in  the  United  States. 

Having  considered  the  faults  and  shortcomings,  and  studied  the  best 
results  obtained  in  the  various  departments  of  eastern  universities,  I  have 
confidence  that  the  people  of  one  of  the  youngest  states  in  the  union  will 
have  for  their  university  a  series  of  buildings  which  will  furnish  a  model 
for  older  commonwealths. 

Second  only  in  importance  to  the  proper  planning  of  the  colleges  is 
the  consideration  of  the  approaches  to  them,  and  of  the  treatment  of  the 
surroundings. 

If  the  grounds  which  surround  the  structure  are  out  of  harmony,  in- 
congruity results.  To  consider  both  the  building  and  the  site  together 
involves  a  wider  range  of  view  than  most  architects  take;  to  secure  ex- 
cellence in  both,  foresight  and  skill  are  required.  Only  a  study  of  the  art 
of  landscape  gardening  can  give  this.  A  building  badly  placed,  when  it 
might  be  well  placed  and  surrounded,  is  incomplete;  one  is  apt  to  find  the 
entrances  placed  where  they  will  necessitate  inconvenient  approaches; 
these,  in  their  turn,  spoiling  the  grounds,  by  preventing  the  best  arrange- 
ment of  lawns  and  plantations.  The  more  magnificent  the  architecture, 
the  more  does  it  need  this  graceful  drapery  of  plantation  for  its  best 
capacity  of  expression.  Real  landscape  art  is  nothing  if  it  is  not  broad, 
simple  and  conservative  of  natural  beauty.  The  site  we  are  dealing  with 
is  so  replete  with  natural  advantages  of  surface,  broad  water  prospects, 
and  grand  mountain  views,  that  a  failure  to  group  the  buildings  and 
grounds  together  in  perfect  harmony  would  be  a  matter  for  lasting  re- 
gret. The  approaches  or  driveways  should  lead  to  their  objective  points 
with  directness  and  without  superfluous  flourish;  they  should  command 
the  most  impressive  views,  developed  here  and  there  by  judicious  thin- 
ning of  foliage,  disclosing  hidden  visions  of  water  and  blue  distance. 
Our  grounds  are  of  sufficient  extent  to  yield  distinctive  landscape  char- 
acter. The  development  of  these  characteristics,  in  a  fuller  measure, 
should  be  accomplished  by  softening  what  is  hard,  clothing  what  is  bare, 
tilling  out  what  is  meagre,  and  enriching  what  is  beautiful;  all  in  har- 
mony with  the  original  type.  This  will  exclude  as  incongruous  what  is 
merely  novel  or  eccentric,  and  subordinate  what  is  obviously  artificial  to 
what  is  natural.  Then,  with  proper  regard  to  the  location,  grouping  and 
sky  lines  of  the  buildings;  the  broad  and  natural  undulations  of  surface; 
easy  grades  of  the  driveways;  simple  embellishments  of  the  water  fronts; 
a  result  will  be  obtained,  the  very  strength  of  which  will  lie  in  its  natural 
simplicity. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  WILLIAM  E.  BOONE, 

Architect  for  the  University  of  Washington. 

SEATTLE,  Aug.  19,  1891. 


LAND  AND  BUILDING  COMMISSION.  17 

ADOPTION  OF  PLANS,  ETC.— INVITING  BIDS. 

In  order  that  the  plans  and  specifications  prepared  by  the  archi- 
tect should  be  approved  and  adopted  by  a  full  board,  the  meeting 
of  August  20,  1891,  was  held  in  the  governor's  office  in  Olympia. 
The  minutes  of  the  meeting  read  as  follows : 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  president  ex  officio,  Elisha  P. 
Ferry. 

There  were  present :  Elisha  P.  Ferry,  John  Arthur,  James  R.  Hayden,. 
Charles  F.  Leavenworth,  John  McReavy. 

The  minutes  of  the  previous  meeting  were  read,  and  on  motion,  unani- 
mously approved. 

Mr.  Leavenworth  moved,  seconded  by  Mr.  Hayden,  that  the  board 
adopt  the  report,  plans,  drawings  and  specifications  for  the  University  of 
Washington,  submitted  to  the  board  by  the  architect,  William  E.  Boone, 
and  that  the  board  forthwith  advertise  for  proposals  for  the  materials  and 
labor  necessary  in  the  construction  of  the  main  university  building 
(spoken  of  in  said  report  as  the  administration  and  belles  lettres 
building). 

The  motion  was  unanimously  adopted,  the  following  named  members 
voting  in  the  affirmative :  John  Arthur,  James  R.  Hayden,  Charles  F. 
Leavenworth,  John  McReavy,  Elisha  P.  Ferry. 

Mr.  Arthur  moved,  seconded  by  Mr.  McReavy,  that  the  notice  to  con- 
tractors for  the  materials  and  labor  necessary  in  the  construction  of  the 
main  university  building,  be  published  for  four  weeks,  daily  and  consecu- 
tively, in  the  Seattle  Post-Intelligencer,  the  Tacoma  Ledger,  the  Spokane 
Chronicle,  and  the  W^alla  Walla  Statesman.  The  motion  was  unanimously 
adopted.,  the  following  named  members  voting  in  the  affirmative  :  John 
Arthur,  James  R.  Hayden,  Charles  F.  Leavenworth,  John  McReavy,  Elisha 
P.  Ferry. 

And  it  was  moved  and  seconded  that  the  following  form  of  notice  to 
contractors  be  adopted : 

NOTICE   TO   CONTRACTORS. 

Notice  is  given,  that  the  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Com- 
missioners of  the  State  of  Washington  hjreby  invite  separate  sealed  pro- 
posals :  First,  for  the  materials;  secondly,  for  the  labor,  necessary  in  the 
construction  of  the  main  university  building  (to  wit.  the  building  for 
administration  and  belles  lettres)  on  the  site  located  therefor  in  section 
16,  township  '25,  north  of  range  4  east,  in  King  county,  Washington,  in 
accordance  with  the  plans,  other  drawings  and  specifications  therefor, 
adopted  by  said  board,  and  which  will  be  found  at  the  office  of  Boone  & 
Willcox,  architects,  in  rooms  58,  59  and  60,  in  the  Boston  block,  corner  Sec- 
ond and  Columbia  streets,  Seattle,  Washington,  on  and  after  September 
1,  1891.  Said  proposals  to  be  filed  with  the  secretary  of  the  board,  James 
R.  Hayden,  in  Seattle,  on  or  before  Thursday,  September  24,  1891,  at  the 
hour  of  one  o'clock  p.  m.t  at  which  time  all  proposals  will  be  opened  pub- 
licly by  the  board  in  its  office,  rooms  307  and  308  Butler  block.  Seattle. 
All  contractors  must  be  citizens  of  the  State  of  Washington.  The  board 
has  the  right  to  reject  any  and  all  proposals.  Each  proposal  must  be 
accompanied  by  a  certified  check  in  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars 


18  WASHINGTON  STATE   UNIVERSITY 

'($10,000)  to  be  forfeited  upon  the  inability  of  the  bidder  to  furnish  satis- 
factory bonds.  Proposals  must  be  indorsed  upon  the  envelope,  "Sealed 
proposals  for  the  building  of  the  building  of  the  University  of  Wash- 
ington." 

ELISHA  P.  FERRY, 
Governor  and  President,  ex  officio, 
JOHN  ARTHUR, 
JOHN  MCREAVY, 
CHARLES  F.  LEAVENWORTH, 
JAMES  R.  HAYDEN. 

Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners. 
Dated  at  Seattle,  Wash.,  August  20,  A.  D.  1891. 

BIDS  FOR  MAIN  BUILDING. 

September  24,  1891,  the  board  met  and  opened  the  bids.  From 
the  minutes  of  the  meeting  we  quote  the  following : 

The  secretary  laid  before  the  board  satisfactory  proof  that  the  invita- 
tion for  proposals  for  the  labor  and  materials  necessary  in  the  construc- 
tion of  the  main  university  building  had  been  duly  published,  daily,  for 
four  (4)  weeks,  consecutively,  in  the  Seattle  Post- Intelligencer,  the  Ta- 
coma  Ledger,  the  Spokane  Chronicle,  and  the  Walla  W'alla  Statesman. 
Thereupon,  on  motion,  it  was  unanimously  resolved  by  the  board  that 
said  publication  was  made  according  to  law. 

At  1  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  secretary  publicly,  in  presence  of  the  several 
bidders  and  many  others,  opened  all  proposals  for  the  labor  and  material 
necessary  in  the  construction  of  the  main  university  building,  which  had 
been  filed  with  them,  which  proposals  were  as  follows,  to  wit: 

SEATTLE,  WrASH.,  September  24,  1891. 
The  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners: 

GENTLEMEN  —  According  to  the  plans  and  specifications  prepared  by 
William  E.  Boone,  architect,  I  propose  to  furnish  all  material  required 
for  the  sum  of  ($400,399 )  four  hundred  thousand  three  hundred  and  ninety- 
nine  dollars,  delivered  at  the  building. 

I  will  take  this  material,  delivered  by  myself,  and  set  it  in  place  for  the 
sum  of  ($160,112 )  one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  one  hundred  and 
twelve  dollars. 

These  two  bids  are  co-relative  and  must  not  be  considered  individually, 
and  must  be  together  rejected  or  accepted. 

This  bid  is  for  the  Sucia  Island  stone  and  acme  plaster. 

Yours  truly,  CHARLES  H.  BEBB. 

P.  S. —  The  above  bid  is  for  the  administration  and  belles  lettres  build- 
ing. CHAS.  H.  BEBB. 

SEATTLE,  WASH.,  Sept.  24,  1891. 
The  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners: 

GENTLEMEN — According  to  the  plans  and  specifications  prepared  by 
William  E.  Boone,  architect,  for  the  Administration  and  Belles  Lettres 
building,  I  propose  to  erect  the  same,  furnishing  all  the  labor  and  mate- 
rial, for  the  sum  of  five  hundred  and  thirty-nine  thousand  five  hundred 
and  eleven  ($539,511)  dollars. 

This  bid  is  for  the  building  complete,  according  to  the  specifications, 
and  includes  all  labor  and  material  taken  together  under  one  contract. 

Yours  truly,  CHARLES  H.  BEBB. 


LAND  AND  BUILDING  COMMISSION.  19 

SEATTLE,  WASH.,  Sept.  24,  1891. 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners  of 

the  State  of  Washington: 

I  propose  to  furnish  for  the  main  university  building,  to  wit:  the  build- 
ing for  administration  and  belles  lettres,  ajl  of  the  required  materials  of 
their  several  kinds,  in  accordance  with  the  plans  and  specifications,  and 
delivered  on  the  grounds  or  site,  for  the  consideration  of  (350,000)  dollars 
in  U.S.  gold  coin. 

I  also  propose  to  perform  all  of  the  labor  on  the  materials  in  construc- 
tion of  the  above  building,  in  accordance  with  the  plans  and  specifications 
Srepared  by  W.  E.  Boone,  architect,  for  the  consideration  of  (215,000) 
ollars,  U.  S.  gold  coin.     I  must  have  the  contract  on  both  labor  and  ma- 
terials, or  nothing. 

Yours  truly,  JAMES  PARKE. 

Will  furnish  any  sandstone  that  the  board  may  select. 

JAMES  PARKE. 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners 
of  the  State  of  Washington  : 

GENTLEMEN  —  We  propose  to  furnish  all  the  material  for  the  university 
building  as  per  plans  and  specifications  for  the  sum  of  ($368,000)  three 
hundred  and  sixty-eight  thousand  dollars.  Will  do  the  labor  as  per  plans 
and  specifications  for  ($111,400)  one  hundred  eleven  thousand  four  hun- 
dred dollars.  This  bid  not  to  be  separated  but  to  be  considered  as  one. 

This  proposal  is  for  Sucia  Island  stone.  If  any  other  stone  is  selected 
will  add  ten  thousand  dollars  ($10,000)  to  bid  as  per  plans  and  specifica- 
tions prepared  by  W.  E.  Boone,  architect. 

Respectfully  submitted,  LILLIS  &  Goss. 

SEATTLE,  WASH.,  Sept.  24,  1891. 
Board  of  Regents,   Administration  and  Belles  Lettres  Building,    Seattle, 

Wash.: 

GENTLEMEN — We  hereby  propose  to  furnish  all  labor  according  to  plans 
and  specifications  prepared  by  W.  E.  Boone,  architect,  for  the  erection 
of  the  above  building  for  two  hundred  seventy-eight  thousand  four  hun- 
dred and  fifty  ($278,450)  dollars.  This  bid  is  accompanied  by  a  bid  for 
materials  and  is  to  be  accepted  only  with  material  bid. 

It  is  understood  that  the  bids  of  this  firm  are  to  be  accepted  or  rejected 
together. 

Very  respectfully,  MALLORY,  VAN  FOSSEN  &  SPRAGUE. 

SEATTLE,  WASH.,  Sept.  24,  1891. 
Board  of  Regents  of  Administration  and  Belles  Lettres  Building,  Seattle, 

Wash.: 

GENTLEMEN  —  We  hereby  prospose  to  furnish  all  materials  according 
to  plans  and  specifications  prepared  by  W.  E.  Boone,  architect,  for  the 
erection  of  the  above  building,  using  Vantine  or  Tenino  stone,  for  the 
sum  of  three  hundred  sixty-eight  thousand  two  hundred  and  thirty 
($368,230)  dollars.  Fifteen  thousand  ($15,000)  [dollars]  to  be  added  for 
Wilkeson  or  Pittsburg  stone. 

This  bid  is  accompanied  by  a  labor  bid  and  is  to  be  accepted  only  with 
the  labor  bid. 

Very  respectfully,  MALLORY,  VAN  FOSSEN  &  SPRAGUE. 

SEATTLE,  Sept.  24,  1891. 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners : 

GENTLEMEN  —  We,  the  undersigned,  respectfully  submit  the  following 

propositions  for  the  labor  and  materials  necessary  for  the  erection  and 

completion  of  the  state  [university]  to  be  erected  in  King  county,  State  of 


20  WASHINGTON  STATE   UNIVERSITY 

Washington,  according  to  plans  made  for  the  same  by  architects,  Messrs. 
Boone  &  Wilcox. 

First:  For  all  materials, ($410, 000)  four  hundred  and  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars. 

Second:  For  all  labor,  ($240,000)  two  hundred  and  forty  thousand  dol- 
lars. 

Thirdly:  For  all  materials  and  labor  throughout  for  the  sum  of  six 
hundred  and  eighteen  thousand  dollars  ($618,000). 

This  proposition  is  conditioned  that  we  will  not  take  labor  without  we 
have  the  furnishing  of  all  materials  or  "vice  versa."  Enclosed  find  cer- 
tified check,  $20,000. 

Very  respectfully  submitted,  JNO.  T.  LONG  &  Co. 

P.  S.—  Our  figures  are  based  on  blue  sandstone  from  quarries  named 
in  specifications,  or  white  sandstone  [  from]  the  Star  quarry.  For  Wilkeson 
or  Pittsburg  stone,  add  to  our  figures  ($20,000)  twenty  thousand  dollars. 

Respectfully,  JNO.  T.  LONG  &  Co. 

It  was  moved  by  Mr.  Hayden,  seconded  by  Mr.  McReavy,  that  each  and 
all  of  the  bids  just  read  to  the  board  be  rejected,  and  that  the  certified 
checks  severally  accompanying  them  be  returned  to  the  parties,  respect- 
ively, enclosing  the  same,  for  the  reasons:  First,  That  each  of  said  bids  is 
conditional  in  respect  to  the  letting  of  the  contracts  for  the  labor  and 
material  together  to  one  and  the  same  bidder;  and,  second,  that  each  of 
said  bids  is,  by  the  board,  deemed  too  high. 

The  motion  was  unanimously  adopted,  the  following  named  members 
voting  in  the  affirmative:  James  R.  Hayden,  Charles  F.  Leaven  worth, 
John  McReavy,  John  Arthur. 

The  secretary  thereupon  delivered  up  all  of  said  certified  checks  to  the 
parties  who,  respectively,  inclosed  the  same  to  him. 

BIDS  FOR  MATERIALS  INVITED. 

The  board  met  on  the  next  day  and  took  the  action  set  forth  in 
the  following  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  meeting: 

It  was  moved  by  Mr.  Leavenworth,  seconded  by  Mr.  McReavy,  that 
the  board  adopt  the  following  preamble  and  resolution: 

WHEREAS,  The  board  has  rejected  each' and  all  of  the  bids  opened  by  it 
September  24,  A.  D.,  1891.  for  the  construction  of  the  main  university 
building,  for  the  reasons:  First,  That  each  of  said  bids  is  conditional  in 
respect  to  the  letting  of  the  contracts  for  the  labor  and  material  together 
to  one  and  the  same  bidder;  and,  secondly,  that  each  of  said  bids  is  by  the 
board  deemed  too  high;  and 

WHEKEAS,  The  board  is  satisfied,  after  consultation  with  the  architect, 
that  it  will  be  impracticable  to  obtain,  upon  a  re-advertisement  for  like 
bids,  any  absolute,  unconditional  bids  by  responsible  contractors,  for  the 
labor  separately,  and  for  the  materials  separately,  for  said  building,  and 
is  further  satisfied  that,  if  any  such  bids  were  obtained,  they  would  be  at 
figures  too  high  for  the  work,  by  reason  of  such  separation  of  bids;  and 

WHEREAS,  The  board  is  satisfied,  after  careful  consideration  of  the 
subject  with  the  architect,  that  said  building  can  be  erected  by  the  board, 
under  the  immediate  control  and  management  of  the  architect  and  super- 
intendent of  construction,  William  E.  Boone,  at  a  large  saving  of  money 
to  the  state,  and  with  greater  assurance  of  good  and  substantial  work,  by 
the  board's  purchasing  all  the  materials  therefor,  and  employing  the  labor 
necessary  in  the  construction  thereof;  therefore, 


LAND  AND  BUILDING   COMMISSION.  21 

Resolved,  That  this  board  shall  not  advertise  again  for  separate  bids 
for  the  labor,  and  separate  bids  for  the  materials  for  the  whole  building, 
but,  instead  thereof,  shall  immediately  advertise  for  bids  for  all  the  stone, 
concrete  stone,  sand,  brick,  cement  and  lime  necessary  for  said  building; 
and  shall,  upon  procuring  satisfactory  bids  for  the  same,  purchase  said 
materials  and  proceed  immediately  with  the  construction  of  said  build- 
ing, under  the  direct  management  of  said  architect  and  superintendent  of 
construction.  Be  it  further 

liesolved,  That  invitations  for  proposals  to  furnish  said  stone,  concrete 
stone,  sand,  brick,  cement  and  lime,  shall  be  immediately  published  for 
four  weeks,  consecutively,  in  the  Seattle  Telegraph,  the  Ta'coma  Mews,  the 
Spokane  Review  and  the  Walla  Walla  Union-Journal,  and  that  the  date 
of  opening  all  such  proposals  shall  be  1  o'clock  p.  M.,  on  Thursday,  the 
29th  day  of  October,  A.  D.  1891. 

The  preamble  and  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted,  the  follow- 
ing named  members  voting  in  the  affirmative:  James  R.  Hayden,  Charles 
F.  Leaven  worth,  John  McReavy,  John  Arthur. 

It  was  moved  by  Mr.  Leavenworth,  seconded  by  Mr.  Hayden,  that  the 
secretary  be  directed  to  publish  daily,  for  four  weeks,  consecutively,  in 
the  Seattle  Telegraph,  the  Tacoma  News,  the  Spokane  Review,  and  the 
Walla  Walla  Union- Journal,  the  following  notice  to  contractors,  to  wit: 

NOTICE   TO   CONTRACTORS. 

SEATTLE,  Sept.  26,  1891. 

Notice  is  given  that  the  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Com- 
missioners of  the  State  of  Washington  hereby  invites  separate  sealed  pro- 
posals for  — 

Firstly :  The  stone  and  concrete  stone; 
Secondly :  The  brick; 
Thirdly:  The  sand; 
Fourthly :  The  lime;  and, 

Fifthly:  The  cement  — required  in  the  construction  of  the  main  uni- 
versity building  (to  wit:  the  building  for  administration  and  belles  let- 
tres),  on  the  site  located  therefor,  in  section  sixteen,  township  twenty-five, 
north  of  range  four  east,  in  King  county,  Washington,  in  accordance  with 
the  plans,  other  drawings  and  specifications  therefor,  which  will  be  found 
at  the  office  of  Boone  &  Willcox,  architects,  in  rooms  58,  59  and  60  Boston 
block,  corner  Second  and  Columbia  streets,  Seattle.  Said  proposals  to  be 
filed  with  the  secretary  of  the  board,  James  R.  Hayden,  of  Seattle,  on  or 
before  Thursday,  October  29,  1891,  at  the  hour  of  1  'o'clock  p.  M.,  at  which 
hour  all  proposals  will  be  opened  publicly  by  the  board,  in  its  office  in 
the  Butler  block,  corner  Second  and  James  streets,  Seattle.  All  con- 
tractors must  be  citizens  of  the  State  of  Washington.  The  board  has  the 
right  to  reject  any  and  all  proposals.  Every  contractor  whose  bill  shall 
be  accepted  must'execute  a  bond  satisfactory  to  the  board  for  the  faithful 
performance  of  the  contract.  Proposals  should  be  indorsed  upon  the  en- 
velopes: "Sealed  proposal  for  material  for  the  construction  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Washington." 

ELISHA  P.  FERRY, 
Governor  and  President  ex  officio, 
JOHN  ARTHUR, 
JOHN  MCREAVY, 
CHARLES  F.  LEAVENWORTH, 
JAMES  R.  HAYDEN, 
Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commissioners. 


22  WASHINGTON  STATE  UNIVERSITY 

AUDITOR'S  REFUSAL  TO  ISSUE  WARRANTS. 

Before  the  time  arrived  for  the  new  bids  to  be  opened,  legal  com- 
plications over  the  want  of  a  specific  appropriation  in  the  act  arose. 
They  are  set  forth  in  the  following  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the 
meeting  of  the  board  on  October  8,  1891: 

The  secretary  submitted  to  the  board  a  letter  from  the  state  auditor, 
reading  as  follows: 

STATE  OF  WASHINGTON,  AUDITOR'S  OFFICE, 

OLYMPIA,  October  7,  1891. 

Hon.  James  R.  Hayden,  Secretary  University  Land  and  Building  Commis- 
sioners, Seattle,  Washington: 

DEAR  SIR — A  day  or  two  since  Mr.  Leaven  worth  handed  me  a  number 
of  vouchers,  issued  by  your  commission,  and  requested  me  to  issue  war- 
rants on  same  and  forward  them  to  you. 

For  several  days  past  I  have  been  looking  up  the  question  as  to  the 
legality  of  the  issuance  of  warrants  on  the  University  fund.  I  have  con- 
sulted'several  authorities  in  the  matter,  and  in  two  or  three  cases,  carry- 
ing with  "them  exactly  the  same  points  at  issue  as  this  case  of  ours,  the 
court  held  that  the  warrant  could  not  be  legally  drawn;  therefore  re- 
fusing the  writ  of  mandamus  to  compel  the  auditor  to  issue  his  warrant. 
With  the  facts  that  I  now  have  before  me,  I  do  not  care  to  take  the  re- 
sponsibility upon  myself  to  issue  the  warrants,  and  must  suspend  them 
until  such  a  time  as  the  attorney  general  or  the  supreme  court  can  pass 
upon  the  question  of  the  legality  of  their  issuance. 

The  attorney  general  will  be  in  Olympia  at  an  early  date,  when  the 
matter  will  be  brought  to  his  attention. 

Yours  respectfully,  T.  M.  REED,   State  Auditor. 

M.  E.  R. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Hayden,  seconded  by  Mr.  Leavenworth,  the  letter 
was  received  and  placed  on  tile,  and  the  secretary  directed  to  spread  it  at 
large  upon  the  minutes  of  this  meeting. 

Mr.  Hayden  moved,  seconded  by  Mr.  Leavenworth,  the  adoption  of  the 
following  preamble  and  resolution,  to  wit: 

WHEREAS,  At  its  regular  meeting  on  the  12th  day  of  August,  1891,  this 
board  adopted  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  whereas,  his  excellency  the  governor  of  the  state  has 
found  it  impracticable  to  attend  this  meeting  of  the  board;  and 

WHEREAS,  The  time  has  arrived  for  the  adoption  of  the  plans  sub- 
mitted by  the  architect,  and  it  is  expedient  and  proper  that  said  plans 
and  report  be  submitted  to  a  full  meeting  of  the  board: 

Therefore,  This  board  shall,  before  the  adjournment  of  this  session, 
proceed  in  a  body,  with  the  assistant  secretary,  C.  E.  Benjamin,  and  the 
architect  and  engineer,  to  the  city  of  Olympia,  for  the  purpose  of  confer- 
ring with  the  governor  upon  said  plans  and  report,  and  holding  a  session 
with  him  at  the  capital  for  that  purpose;  and  when  the  board  takes  a  re- 
cess to-morrow,  it  shall  be  to  meet  at  Olympia,  at  7:30  P.  M.,  August  20, 
A.  D.  1891,  at  the  office  of  the  governor;  and 

WHEREAS,  On  the  20th  day  of  August,  1891,  the  board,  pursuant  to  said 
resolution,  proceeded  in  a  body  to  the  city  of  Olympia  and  held  a  meet- 
ing with  the  governor,  all  the  members  being  present,  at  7:30  o'clock  p. 
M.;  and 

WHEREAS,  At  said  meeting  with  the  governor  and  at  the  adjourned 
meeting  with  him  on  the  21st  day  of  August,  1891,  he  unreservedly  con- 


LAND  AND  BUILDfNU   COMMISSION. 


curred  with  the  board  in  its  resolution  to  proceed  with  the  construction, 
of  the  main  university  building  for  the  University  of  Washington,  and 
then  and  there  signed,  with  the  other  members  of  the  board,  a  notice  to 
contractors,  inviting  proposals  for  furnishing  of  materials  and  the  per- 
formance of  the  labor  for  such  construction,  and  then  and  there  con- 
curred with  the  board  in  adopting  the  report,  plans,  drawings  and  speci- 
fications for  the  University  of  Washington,  submitted  to  the  board  by  the 
architect,  William  E.  Booue;  and 

\VHEREAS,  At  said  meeting  on  the  21st  day  of  August,  1891,  the  state 
auditor,  Hon.  Thomas  M.  Reed,  was  present,  and  was  made  fully  ac- 
quainted with  all  of  the  aforesaid  resolution,  acts  and  proceedings  of  the 
board;  and 

WHEREAS,  He  and  the  governor,  after  careful  consideration  of  the  act 
creating  this  board,  then  and  there  stated  that  in  their  judgment  it  was 
the  imperative  duty  of  the  board  to  proceed  without  delay  in  the  con- 
struction of  said  main  university  building,  and  then  and  there  agreed  and 
concurred  with  the  appointed  members  of  this  board  that  it  was  the  duty 
of  the  state  auditor  to  issue  warrants  for  such  indebtedness  as  should 
thereby  be  created;  and 

WHEREAS,  This  board,  after  such  conference  with  the  governor  and 
state  auditor,  and  their  full  agreement  and  concurrence  as  aforesaid,  has 
since  proceeded  in  good  faith  with  such  work  of  construction,  and  the. 
indebtedness  thereby  incurred  by  it  has  been  provided  for  regularly  by- 
state  warrants  issued  by  said  state  auditor  without  objection  on  his  part; 
and 

WHEREAS,  Said  state  auditor,  in  person,  on  the  10th  day  of  September,. 
1891,  went  upon  said  university  grounds  and  witnessed  the  work  done 
under  the  supervision  of  the  board  in  the  preparation  of  said  grounds 
for  said  building,  and  then  and  there  expressed  his  approval  of  the  same,. 
and  his  concurrence  in  all  that  the  board  had  done  and  was  doing  in  re- 
lation thereto: 

Now,  therefore,  Be  it  resolved,  that  it  is  the  sense  of  this  board  that  the 
state  auditor  has  by  his  said  concurrence  in  the  action  and  course  of  this 
board  in  relation  to  said  university  building,  and  by  his  retraction  thereof 
as  set  forth  in  the  letter  from  him  spread  upon  the  minutes  of  this  meet- 
ing, placed  the  board  and  its  agents  and  employes  in  an  embarrassing 
position,  and  that  if  the  position  indicated  in  his  said  letter  be  persisted 
in,  it  will  be  impossible  to  carry  out  the  command  of  the  legislature  to 
proceed  with  the  construction  of  said  university  building  and  have  the 
same  ready  for  occupancy  on  the  first  day  of  March,  1893. 

Be  it  further  resolved.  That  the  secretary  of  this  board  be  directed  to 
transmit  immediately  to  his  excellency  the  governer,  a  telegraphic  mes- 
sage as  follows: 

SEATTLE,  WASH.,  Octobers,  1891. 
Gov.  E.  P.  FERRY,  Olympia,  Wash.: 

University  board  in  session.  Can  you  meet  with  it  in  Seattle  to- 
morrow at  1  P.  M  ?  If  not,  board  will  meet  with  you  in  Olympia  7  o'clock 
to-morrow  evening.  Answer  quick. 

JAMES  R.  HAYDEN,  Secretary. 

The  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted,  the  following  named  mem- 
bers voting  in  the  affirmative:  James  R.  Hayden,  Charles  F.  Leaven- 
worth,  John  Arthur. 

In  answer  to  the  foregoing  telegram,  the  secretary  received  the  follow- 
ing message  from  his  excellency  the  governor: 

OLYMPIA,  WASH.,  Octobers,  1891. 
J.  R.  HAYDEN,  Seattle: 

\  cannot  leave  to-morrow.     Will  be  glad  to  meet  the  board  here. 

ELISHA  P.  FERRY. 


WASHINGTON  STATE   UNIVERSITY 


Mr.  Hayden  moved,  seconded  by  Mr.  Leaven  worth,  the  adoption  of 
the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  by  reason  of  the  inability  of  the  governor  to  attend  the 
meeting  cf  the  board  in  Seattle  to-morrow,  as  indicated  by  his  message 
just  received  by  the  secretary,  and  by  reason  of  the  inability  of  the  attor- 
ney general  to  meet  with  the  board  this  week,  as  indicated  by  a  telegram 
from  him  al-ready  on  tile,  and  because  of  the  great  importance  of  definitely 
ascertaining  at  once  the  attitude  of  the  governor  and  of  the  state  auditor 
in  relation  to  the  incurring  of  further  indebtedness  in  the  construction 
of  the  University  of  Washington,  this  board  shall,  to-morrow,  proceed  in 
a  body  to  the  city  of  Olympia  and  confer  with  the  governor  and  state 
auditor  on  all  questions  affecting  the  work  of  construction. 

Resolved  further,  That  the  assistant  secretary,  C.  E.  Benjamin,  shall 
accompany  the  board  to  Olympia  and  take  with  him  the  record  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  board. 

tiesolved  further,  That  the  board  now  take  a  recess  to  meet  in  Olympia, 
•with  the  governor  and  state  auditor,  at  7  P.  M.,  Friday,  October  9,  1891, 
and  that  the  state  auditor  be  requested  to  attend  said  meeting. 

The  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted. 

THE  WORK  STOPPED. 

In  accordance  with  the  foregoing  resolutions,  the  board  went  to 
Olympia  and  held  a  meeting  with  the  governor  and  auditor  on 
October  9th.  The  proceedings  are  set  forth  in  the  minutes  as 
follows  : 

The  board  met  in  the  office  of  the  governor,  in  pursuance  of  a  resolu- 
tion adopted  by  it,  at  its  office  in  Seattle,  on  the  8th  day  of  October,  1891. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  7  o'clock  p.  M.  by  the  president  ex 
officio,  Governor  Elisha  P.  Ferry. 

There  were  present:  Governor  Elisha  P.  Ferry,  John  Arthur,  James  R. 
Hayden,  Charles  F.  Leavenworth,  John  McReavy.  The  state  auditor, 
Hon.  T.  M.  Reed,  was  also  present,  and  remained  throughout  the  meeting. 

Upon  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  Hayden,  the  object  of  the  meeting  was 
stated  by  Mr.  Arthur  to  be  the  holding  of  a  conference  with  the  governor 
and  state  auditor  in  relation  to  the  subject-matter  of  the  auditor's  letter 
of  October  7,  1891,  to  the  secretary  of  the  board,  announcing  that  he  would 
suspend  the  issuing  of  further  warrants  upon  the  university  fund  until 
such  a  time  as  the  attorney  general  or  the  supreme  court  can  pass  upon 
the  question  of  the  legality  of  their  issuance. 

The  governor  stated  that  he  had,  up  to  the  time  of  meeting,  received  no 
official  information  of  the  action  of  the  auditor,  as  expressed  by  the  letter 
above  mentioned;  and  that  the  only  information  whatever  that  he  had 
thereon  was  obtained  from  the  public  press. 

A  general  discussion  followed,  in  the  course  of  which  Messrs.  Arthur, 
Hayden,  Leavenworth  and  McReavy,  in  turn,  stated  that  the  board  felt 
greatly  embarrassed  and  disconcerted  by  the  action  of  the  state  auditor, 
inasmuch  as  the  board  had  in  good  faith,  after  full  conference  with  the 
governor  and  auditor  on  the  20th  and  21st  of  August,  1891,  and  the  adop- 
tion of  the  plans  for  the  main  university  building,  proceeded  with  the  pre- 


LAND  AND  BUILDING   COMMISSION.  25 

liminary  work  in  the  construction  of  said  building,  and  had  now  engaged 
upon  said  work  a  force  of  over  one  hundred  men,  together  with  teams  and 
scrapers  and  a  stump  puller,  all  at  an  expense  aggregating  $350  per  day,  and 
that  the  work  was  being  carried  on  rapidly,  and  that  there  is  now  due  the 
laborers  employed  therein  over  five  thousand  dollars  which  it  would  be  a 
great  hardship  and  wrong  to  withhold  from  them;  and  further,  that  if  the 
suspension  of  the  issuance  of  warrants  be  persisted  in  by  the  auditor  the 
board  will  have  to  stop  all  work  upon  the  grounds  and  lose  the  benefit  of 
the  good  weather  now  prevailing;  and  that  in  such  event  it  will  be  im- 
possible to  construct  the  building  within  the  time  prescribed  by  the  legis- 
lature. 

The  auditor  then  addressed  the  meeting,  and  stated  he  had  slowly,  re- 
luctantly and  deliberately  reached  the  conclusion  expressed  in  his  letter 
of  October  7,  1891,  and  that  he  would  not,  even  upon  the  advice  of  the  at- 
torney general  to  do  so,  issue  any  more  warrants  until  the  supreme  court 
should  have  decided  that  he  had  a  lawful  right  to  issue  them.  He  stated 
that  he  had  examined  decisions  in  analogous  cases  in  other  states,  and 
was  satisfied  that,  under  our  constitution,  his  right  to  issue  such  warrants 
was  in  serious  doubt,  and  that  he  would  adhere  firmly  to  his  decision. 

Thereupon  Mr.  Arthur  moved,  seconded  by  Mr.  McReavy,  the  adoption 
of  the  following  preamble  and  resolution: 

WHEREAS,  The  state  auditor  is  in  doubt  as  to  his  right,  under  the  con- 
stitution of  the  state,  to  issue  warrants  for  the  payment  of  the  indebted- 
^ness  incurred  in  the  construction  of  the  University  of  Washington,  by 
v reason  of  the  absence  of  a  specific  appropriation  of  money  therefor,  and 
has  consequently  refused  to  issue  any  more  such  warrants;  'therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  board  forthwith  suspend  the  further  construction 
of  the  University  of  Washington. 

Resolved  further,  That  the  chief  engineer  forthwith  take  charge  of  all 
the  tools  and  materials  belonging  to  the  state  which  are  in  use  on  the 
University  grounds,  and  keep  them  safely  until  further  instruction  from 
the  board*. 

The  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted,  the  following  named  mem- 
bers voting  in  the  affirmative:  John  Arthur,  James  R.  Hayden,  Charles 
F.  Leavenworth,  John  McReavy,  Elisha  P.  Ferry. 

Thereupon  the  auditor  stated  to  the  board  that,  since  it  had  resolved 
to  stop  all  work  immediately,  and  since  the  suspension  or  withholding  of 
the  warrants  for  the  work  done  for  the  board  in  September  would  inflict 
great  hardship  and  wrong  upon  those  in  the  employ  of  the  board,  he 
would  assume  the  responsibility  of  delivering  to  the  board  the  warrants  in 
payment  for  all  work  done  up  to  and  including  the  30th  day  of  Septem- 
ber, 1891;  and  further  stated  that  all  said  warrants  had  already  been 
actually  drawn  and  were  in  his  safe  ready  for  delivery. 

BIDS  FOR  MATERIALS  RETURNED,  UNOPENED. 

The  board  met  on  October  29th  to  open  the  bids  for  materials 
-called  for  after  the  rejection  of  all  the  bids  first  tendered.  The 


26  WASHINGTON  STATE  UNIVERSITY 

action  which  it  took  is  shown  by  the  following  extract  from  the 
minutes: 

Mr.  Hayden  moved,  seconded  by  Mr.  Leavenworth,  the  adoption  of  the 
following  resolution: 

WHEREAS,  The  work  upon  the  construction  of  the  University  of  Wash- 
ington has  been  suspended,  owing  to  the  refusal  of  the  auditor  to  issue 
any  more  warrants  upon  the  university  fund,  and  the  refusal  of  the  treas- 
urer to  indorse  the  same;  and 

WHEREAS,  The  board  will  be  unable  to  proceed  with  the  work  in  the 
construction  of  the  main  university  building,  until  the  supreme  court  of 
the  state  has  declared  that  there  is  a  proper  appropriation  therefor;  and 

WHEREAS,  It  would  be  unfair  to  those  tendering  bids  that  such  bids 
should  now  be  opened,  while  it  is  impracticable  to  accept  any  of  them: 
Therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  all  bids  now  in  the  possession  of  the  secretary  be  re- 
turned unopened  to  the  several  bidders. 

The  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted. 

THE  TEST  CASE. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  board  on  October  12,  1891,  the  secretary 
made  a  verbal  report,  which  is  summarized  in  the  minutes  as  follows: 

Mr.  Hayden  reported  to  the  board,  that  after  the  board  had,  at  Olympia, 
on  the  10th  dajr  of  October,  1891,  taken  a  recess  to  this  meeting  to-day, 
Mr.  Arthur  and  himself  had  called  upon  the  state  treasurer,  Hon.  A.  A. 
Lindsley,  and  presented  to  him  warrant  No.  65,  issued  on  the  fifth  day  of 
October,  1891,  by  the  state  auditor,  in  payment  for  the  publication,  in  the 
Walla  Walla  Statesman,  of  the  notice  to  contractors,  inviting  proposals 
for  materials  and  labor  necessary  in  the  construction  of  the  main  uni- 
versity building  of  the  University  of  Washington,  for  the  indorsement 
thereon  by  said  treasurer  of  its  non-payment  for  want  of  funds.  The 
treasurer  refused  to  make  such  indorsement  thereon,  alleging,  as  reason 
therefor,  that,  in  his  judgment,  the  state  auditor  had  no  legal  right  to 
issue  any  warrants  upon  the  university  fund;  he  further  stated  that  he 
would  not,  until  the  supreme  court  shall  have  decided  that  the  auditor 
has  a  legal  right  to  issue  such  warrants,  make  such  indorsements  upon 
any  more  warrants  drawn  upon  the  university  fund. 

Mr.  Hayden  further  reported  that  Mr.  Leavenworth,  Mr.  Arthur  and 
himself  had,  in  the  afternoon  of  October  10,  1891,  at  Olympia,  met  the 
attorney  general  of  the  state,  proceeded  with  him  to  his  office,  and  con- 
ferred with  him  upon  the  various  matters  set  forth  in  the  minutes  of  the 
proceedings  of  this  board  on  the  8th,  9th  and  10th  of  October,  1891,  and 
had  advised  the  attorney  general  that  it  would  not  be  necessary  for  him 
to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  board  in  Seattle  on  October  15,  1891,  and  had 
also  given  him  a  copy  of  the  resolutions,  adopted  at  the  meeting  that 
morning  by  the  board,  requesting  him  to  make  application  to  the  supreme 
court  for  a  writ  of  mandamus  directed  to  the  state  auditor;  and  further 
stated  to  him  the  refusal  of  the  state  treasurer  to  indorse  non-payment 
for  want  of  funds  upon  warrant  number  65,  and  the  declaration  of  the 
treasurer,  that  he  would  not  make  such  indorsement  upon  any  more  war- 
rants drawn  by  the  state  auditor  upon  the  university  fund,  until  such 


I, AND  AND  BUILDING   COMMISSION.  27 

time  as  the  supreme  court  shall  have  decided  that  the  auditor  has  a  legal 
right  to  draw  such  warrants;  and  that  they  suggested  to  the  attorney  gen- 
eral the  advisability  of  applying  to  the  supreme  court  for  a  writ  of  man- 
damus directed  to  the  state  treasurer,  requiring  him  to  make  such  indorse- 
ments upon  the  warrants  drawn  by  the  state  auditor  upon  said  fund,  and 
requesting  him  to  consider  whether  it  would  not  be  better  to  apply  for 
such  mandamus  against  the  treasurer,  rather  than  the  auditor. 

According  to  the  suggestion  last  referred  to,  application  was 
made  to  the  supreme  court  for  an  alternative  writ  of  mandamus 
directed  to  the  state  treasurer,  requiring  him  to  pay  the  amount  of 
a  certain  warrant  drawn  by  the  state  auditor  in  favor  of  the  Post- 
Intelligencer  Publishing  Company,  of  Seattle;  or,  if  without  suffi- 
cient funds  in  his  hands  for  such  payment,  to  indorse  on  the  war- 
rant a  statement  that  it  had  been  presented  to  him  for  payment  and 
had  not  been  paid  for  want  of  funds;  or  show  cause,  etc. 

The  case  turned  upon  section  4  of  article  8  of  the  constitution, 
which  reads: 

"No  moneys  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  treasury  of  this  state,  or  any  of 
its  funds,  or  any  of  the  funds  under  its  management,  except  in  pursuance 
of  an  appropriation  by  law;  nor  unless  such  payments  be  made  within 
two  years  from  the  1st  day  of  May  next  after  the  passage  of  such  appro- 
priation act,  and  every  such  law  making  new  appropriation,  or  continuing 
or  reviving  an  appropriation,  shall  distinctly  specify  the  sum  appro- 
priated, and  the  object  to  which  it  is  to  be  applied,  and  it  shall  not  be 
sufficient  for  such  law  to  refer  to  any  other  law  to  tix  such  sum." 

The  supreme  court  held  this  provision  to  be  applicable,  and  de- 
cided that  no  money  could  be  paid  out  of  the  treasury  under  the 
act,  and  that  the  auditor  had  no  right  to  issue  warrants  on  the  uni- 
versity fund  thereunder,  for  want  of  specific  appropriation.  The 
case  is  reported  in  Vol.  3,  Washington  Reports,  pp.  125-130. 

The  opinion  of  the  court  concludes  as  follows: 

"There  being  no  appropriation  upon  which  the  relator's  warrant  could 
be  drawn,  it  follows  that  the  alternative  writ  must  be  refused.  But  be- 
fore concluding  this  opinion  we  deem  it  proper  to  guard  its  future  con- 
struction by  the  statement  that  it  is  not  our  intention  to  rule  by  any 
inference  that  the  auditor  might  not  examine  and  approve  an  account 
against  the  state  (not  issuing  a  warrant  therefor)  for  the  expenses  of  one 
of  its  public  institutions  of  necessity  or  charity,  existing  under  general 
laws,  or  of  its  governmental  offices,  where  no  appropriation  has  been 
made,  or  where,  by  reason  of  unforseen  circumstances,  the  appropriation 
made  had  been  exhausted.  The  alternative  writ  is  denied." 

Under  this  strong  intimation  from  the  supreme  bench,  the  au- 
ditor has  felt  authorized  to  issue,  and  has  issued,  certificates  of 


28  WASHINGTON  STATE   CNIVERSITY 

indebtedness  on  the  accounts  approved  by  the  board.  These  cer- 
tificates ought  to  bear  interest  on  the  same  terras  as  the  auditor's 
warrants. 

CONTRACT  WITH  THE  ARCHITECT. 

The  board  entered  into  contract  with  the  architect,  William  E. 
Boone,  for  the  preparation  of  plans  and  specifications  and  the  su- 
perintendence of  all  work  of  construction,  with  compensation  to 
him  at  the  rate  of  live  per  centum  of  the  cost  of  the  buildings. 

This  is  the  prevailing  rate  for  such  work,  as  will  be  seen  by  the 
following  statement,  in  the  opinion  of  the  supreme  court  of  this 
state  in  a  case  from  Seattle,  JVbycs  v.  Pugen,  reported  in  Vol.  27  of 
the  Pacific  Reporter,  p.  540:  "Several  architects  also  testified  that 
the  usual  price  charged  by  architects  for  drawing  plans  and  specifi- 
cations, and  superintending  the  erection  of  buildings,  or,  in  other 
words,  for  full  professional  services,  was  five  per  cent,  of  the  esti- 
mated cost." 

The  architect  entered  immediately  into  correspondence  with  the 
principal  university  officials  in  America  and  Europe,  with  the  view 
to  getting  their  opinions  and  suggestions  in  regard  to  the  most  ap- 
proved plans  and  facilities.  He  afterwards,  at  his  own  expense, 
visited  all  the  principal  colleges  and  universities  in  the  United 
States  for  the  same  purpose,  made  careful  examination  of  them, 
and  inquired  into  their  cost.  The  specifications  for  the  new  uni- 
versity building,  prepared  by  him  and  adopted  by  the  board,  are 
transmitted  herewith  in  separate  pamphlet.  Immediately  upon  the 
rejection  of  the  bids  for  the  construction  of  the  main  building,  the 
architect  revised  the  specifications  so  as  to  use  native  material, 
wherever  it  could  be  substituted  for  the  foreign  material  provided 
in  the  original  specifications.  He  also  revised  the  plans  so  as  to 
dispense,  for  the  present,  with  the  auditorium. 

By  these  changes,  a  saving  of  about  two  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars could  be  effected.  Could  the  state  afford  it,  the  board  would 
prefer  to  construct  upon  the  original  plans  and  specifications;  but, 
in  view  of  the  great  ultimate  loss  which  would  be  entailed  by  the 
sale  of  the  old  university  tract  in  Seattle  at  the  present  time,  the 
board  is  convinced  that  it  is  wise  to  omit  the  auditorium  and  to 
dispense  with  foreign  materials.  When  the  board  was  established, 
the  sentiment  of  the  state  seemed  to  be  strong  and  unanimous  in 
favor  of  erecting  first  class  buildings  for  the  university.  Since 


LAND  AND  BUILDING   COMMISSION.  29 

that  time  the  state  has  experienced  a  period  of  financial  depression, 
which  must  be  taken  into  account  in  all  schemes  for  carrying  on 
the  work  immediately. 

ESTIMATED  COST  OF  STRUCTURES. 

The  architect  estimates  that  by  the  omission  of  the  auditorium 
from  the  main  building,  and  by  the  modifications  of  the  specifications 
which  have  already  been  mentioned,  the  main  building  can  be  erected 
for  $150,000.  He  estimates  the  cost  of  the  dormitories,  dining 
room  and  kitchen  at  $200,000;  and  the  cost  of  the  engine  house 
at  $15,000. 

BUILDINGS  FIRST  NEEDED. 

We  recommend  that  the  time  for  the  completion  of  the  main  uni- 
versity building,  ready  for  occupancy,  be  fixed  at  July  1st,  1896. 
The  engine  house,  dormitories,  dining  room  and  kitchen  should  also 
be  finished  at  that  time. 

Section  11  of  the  act  gives  less  than  two  years  for  the  completion 
of  these  buildings.  This  time  is  too  short.  It  will  take  three 
years  to  do  the  work  well  and  assuredly,  and  have  the  buildings  in 
proper  condition  for  occupancy.  If  the  work  were  done  by  the 
board,  much  time  could  be  saved.  The  publication  of  notices  invit- 
ing bids,  to  be  followed  perhaps,  as  at  the  outset,  by  the  rejection 
of  all  bids  and  re-advertisement  for  more  —  a  contingency  likely  to 
happen  again  —  consumes  a  great  deal  of  time.  Even  after  the 
acceptance  of  bids  and  the  entering  into  contracts,  many  weeks  must 
elapse  before  the  actual  work  of  construction  is  begun. 

CAUSE  OF  HIGH  BIDS. 

Section  10  of  the  act  provides  that  each  warrant  drawn  upon  the 
university  fund  "shall  express  upon  its  face  whether  the  amount 
therein  stated  is  for  material  furnished  or  services  rendered,  or  for 
labor  performed." 

Under  this  provision  it  was  necessary  to  invite  bids  for  the  ma- 
terial separately  from  bids  for  labor.  Under  a  single  bid  for  the 
entire  work  on  the  main  building,  for  example,  and  a  contract 
entered  into  in  accordance  therewith,  it  would  be  wholly  impracti- 
cable to  have  each  warrant  issued  to  the  contractor  "express  upon 
its  face"  whether  the  amount  therein  stated  is  "for  material  fur- 
nished" or  "for  labor  performed." 

This  provision  is  responsible  for  the  unexpected  largeness  of  the 


30  WASHINGTON  STATE   UNIVERSITY 

bids.  It  is  an  anomaly  which  should  be  eliminated  from  the  act,  or 
at  least  made  applicable  only  in  the  event  of  the  work  being  done 
by  day's  labor  under  the  immediate  control  and  direction  of  the 
board  and  its  superintendent  of  construction.  It  is  not  in  harmony 
with  the  provision  of  sec.  9  that  "the  board  shall  let  contract  for 
labor  and  material  necessary  for  said  buildings  to  the  lowest  re- 
sponsible bidder."  This  latter  provision  is  consistent  with  the 
contract  system.  The  provision  in  sec.  10  is  consistent  only  with 
the  growing  theory  or  popular  opinion  that  all  public  work  should 
be  done  by  day's  labor  under  the  immediate  direction  of  the  re- 
sponsible officers  of  the  government.  If  the  work  on  the  university 
be  done  by  the  board  and  not  under  contract,  it  will  be  easy  to  give 
effect  to  this  provision  and  to  have  each  warrant  show  whether  it 
is  in  payment  for  material,  services  or  labor. 

If  one  contractor  shall  perform  the  labor  and  another  furnish  the 
material,  it  will  also,  then,  be  practicable  to  have  each  warrant  con- 
form to  this  requirement  of  section  10.  If,  however,  one  and  the 
same  contractor  shall  be  the  lowest  bidder  for  both  the  material 
and  the  labor,  it  would  be  very  difficult,  if  at  all  practicable,  to 
comply  with  this  requirement. 

An  examination  of  the  bids  made  to  the  board  will  show  the 
strong  repugnance  which  the  bidders  had  to  the  practical  operation 
of  the  provision  in  section  10,  and  their  virtual  refusal  to  make  any 
bid  in  conformity  to  its  demand;  and  it  cannot  be  said  that  they 
were  captious  or  unreasonable.  Under  it  the  lowest  bidder  for  the 
furnishing  of  the  materials  might  not  be  the  lowest  bidder  for  the 
performance  of  the  labor;  and  the  two  contractors  bidding  the 
lowest,  severally,  for  these  branches  of  the  work  might  be  unable 
to  cooperate  honestly,  heartily  and  harmoniously  in  the  construc- 
tion of  the  building.  They  would  find  themselves  compulsory 
partners  in  the  work.  The  labor  contractor  would  especially  be 
under  manifest  disadvantages;  he  would  always  be  more  or  less  at 
the  mercy  of  the  material  contractor.  With  the  prospect  of  a 
forced  partnership  of  this  kind,  no  one  will  willingly  or  con- 
fidently undertake  either  branch  of  the  work  at  ordinarily  low 
figures. 


MAP  OF  THE  STATE  UNIVERSITY   GROUNDS 
SHOWING  THE  PRESENT  CONDITION  AND  CONTOUR  OK  THK  TIJACT. 


LAND  AND  BUILDING   COMMISSION.  33 

THE  CHIEF  ENGINEER'S  REPORT. 

The  board  employed  the  chief  engineer  at  the  compensation  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  month  and  his  necessary  travel- 
ing expenses.  Although  he  did  not  devote  his  time  exclusively  to 
the  university,  the  important  services  which  he  rendered  were  very 
inadequately  paid  for  at  this  rate.  He  has  at  all  times  been  earnest 
and  zealous  in  the  employ  of  the  board.  We  give  herewith  entire 
his  careful  and  interesting  report  to  the  board  on  the  new  univer- 
sity site,  the  work  done,  the  improvements  needed,  etc. 

To  the  Honorable,  the  Board  of  University  Land  and  Building  Commis- 
sioners, Seattle,  Washington  : 

GENTLEMEN  —  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  herewith  a  report  of  the  im- 
provements made  by  me  under  your  directions,  upon  the  State  Univer- 
sity grounds  in  section  16,  township  25  north,  range  4  east. 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant,  FRED  G.  PLDMMER. 

TACOMA,  Feb.  17, 1892.  Chief  Engineer. 

My  appointment,  made  April  15,  1891,  went  into  effect  on  the  the  24th, 
at  which  time  the  board  ordered  a  preliminary  survey  of  the  section  of 
land  from  which  the  state  grant  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  was  to  be 
selected.  With  an  assistant,  I  thoroughly  scouted  the  section  and  recom- 
mended a  preliminary  survey,  which  was  immediately  made  and  platted 
for  the  information  of  the  board,  a  papier  mache  cast  was  then  made, 
showing  the  precise  contour  of  the  lands,  and  after  a  careful  consideration 
the  board  made  a  selection  in  the  southern  part  of  the  section,  which  in 
my  first  report  I  spoke  of  as  follows: 

The  selected  site  lies  between  Lakes  Union  and  Washington,  and  has  a- 
frontage  of  about  1,400  feet  on  Lake  Union  and  of  about  3,800  feet  on 
Lake  Washington.  A  backbone  or  divide,  from  70  to  80  feet  high,  run& 
north  and  south  through  the  middle  of  the  tract,  and  the  land  slopes  with 
gentle  undulations  east  and  west  to  the  lake  front.  There  is,  in  all,  about 
twenty  acres  of  good  farm  land  which  very  materially  adds  to  its  value. 

The  Seattle,  Lake  Shore  &  Eastern  railroad  cuts  the  tract  into  two 
unequal  portions,  which  are  very  unlike  in  their  characteristics.  During^ 
the  building  of  the  university  the  proximity  of  the  railroad  is  a  decided 
advantage,  but  upon  the  completion  of  the  same  its  location  through  the 
tract  is  not  desired.  As  the  railroad  claims  no  definite  right-of-way  or 
easements,  so  far  as  I  can  learn,  I  would  suggest  that  the  matter  of  their 
rights  be  carefully  examined  by  competent  attorneys,  that  the  rights  of 
the  university  are  not  lost. 

There  is,  however,  sufficient  room  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  tract 
entirely  free  from  the  railroad  which,  when  improved,  will  be  all  that 
could  be  desired  for  such  an  institution;  if  the  railroad  could  not  be 
removed  from  the  premises  it  could  be  so  improved  as  to  be  sightly. 

There  are  several  points  on  the  railroad  grade  where  switches  could 
be  put  in  for  the  convenience  of  building  material,  etc.,  during  the  pro- 


34  WASHINGTON  STATE  UNIVERSITY 

gress  of  the  improvements.  The  new  site  is  convenient  of  access  from 
the  city  and  sufficiently  elevated  to  be  capable  of  thorough  drainage, 
possessing  many  suitable  building  sites  for  grouping  the  various  halls 
and  cottages.  Its  natural  approach  is  from  the  south,  and  it  is  likely 
that  a  well  graded  boulevard  will  eventually  connect  the  city  of  Seattle 
with  the  grounds;  a  suitable  entrance  should,  therefore,  be  provided  on 
the  south  boundary. 

As  the  adjoining  property  might  possibly  be  used  for  objectionable 
purposes,  a  strip  of  timber,  200  or  300  feet  in  width,  should  be  left  sur- 
rounding the  boundaries  of  the  tract,  not  including  the  lake  front. 

Views  of  both  lakes  and  mountains  can  never  be  cut  off  by  adjoining 
owners.  The  soil  on  the  tract  is  of  fair  quality,  the  land  mostly  a  gravelly 
clay  and  inclining  in  some  places  to  a  sandy  loam.  It  will  no  doubt  be 
improved  by  the  ordinary  agricultural  processes  and  brought  to  the  best 
condition  for  supporting  ornamental  trees,  shrubs  and  lawns.  There  is 
at  present  a  fair  growth  of  usual  upland  timber  of  fir,  cedar,  maple, 
alder,  willow,  salal,  Oregon  grape,  brake,  etc.,  in  fact,  it  is  a  typical 
Sound  upland  country.  A  few  small  swamps  lie  in  the  lower  lands  and 
drain  into  the  lakes  naturally.  There  is  also  found  upon  the  land,  in 
limited  quantities,  yew,  dogwood,  wild  plum,  cherry,  thorn,  elder,  wild 
rose,  and  currants  and  honeysuckle,  but  they  are  all  of  stunted  growth 
and  too  poor  to  be  \vorth  saving. 

The  location  of  buildings  should  be  with  reference  to  the  contour  of 
the  land  and  as  to  distant  views  of  water  and  mountain  scenery,  and  the 
buildings  must  harmonize  with  the  character  of  the  land  upon  which  they 
are  placed.  A  tract  of  natural  forest  should  be  left  adjoining  the  science 
building  for  zoological  and  botanical  purposes.  A  gulch  should  be  left 
in  its  natural  condition  for  the  location  of  ferneries,  etc.  The  gradual 
slopes  and  levels  should  be  grassed,  and  they  will  afford  the  best  oppor- 
tunities for  the  highest  class  of  landscape  gardening.  The  perspective 
of  the  buildings  should  be  taken  into  careful  consideration  in  reference 
to  the  laying  out  of  the  land.  The  botanical  and  other  gardens  should  be 
located  so  as  to  include  the  best  of  the  swamp  land,  together  with  a  vari- 
ety of  natural  soils  for  the  propagation  of  the  various  flora.  The  recrea- 
tion grounds  should  include  baseball  grounds,  tennis  grounds,  archery 
iield,  rifle  range,  musical  pavillion,  riding  paddock,  bathing  houses,  boat 
house  and  wharf. 

The  university,  complete,  will  doubtless  include  twenty  or  more  build- 
ings, which  should  be  properly  grouped  so  as  to  be  easy  of  access,  well 
lighted  and  heated,  and  at  the  same  time  command  the  best  possible  posi- 
tion and  view. 

A  complete  water  system  is  indispensable  for  sanitary  regulations  and 
fire  protection.  Supply  must  be  perpetual  and  the  water  must  be  pure 
and  good.  The  reservoir  must  be  located  at  a  sufficient  elevation  that  a 
stream  can  be  thrown  over  the  highest  building  without  the  aid  of  other 
power.  The  drainage  must  not  be  into  the  same  lake  from  which  the 
water  supply  is  drawn. 

An  artesian  well  might  be  successful,  but  experiments  in  this  country 


LAND  AND  BUILDING   COMMISSION.  35 

have  been  rare,  and  I  would  not  advise  the  expenditure  of  over  one 
thousand  dollars  on  a  trial;  I  would  rather  advise  the  sinking  of  a  good 
well  to  a  depth  of  20  feet  below  the  level  of  Lake  Washington,  and  I 
have  no  doubt  that  a  sufficient  supply  could  be  found  at  that  depth; 
however,  should  a  layer  of  hard-pan  be  struck  at  a  short  distance  below 
the  surface,  it  might  be  necessary  to  tunnel  from  the  lake  to  the  well  and 
then  fill  up  the  tunnel  with  sand  and  small  gravel  and  other  materials, 
which  will  aid  the  filtration  of  the  water.  Such  a  system  would  un- 
doubtedly be  successful  and  would  not  require  to  be  renewed. 

The  buildings  should  be  connected  with  a  brick  tunneling  for  the  con- 
ducting of  steam  and  wires,  and  at  the  same  time  afford  a  valuable 
means  for  ventilation  by  suction  through  the  stack  at  the  power  house. 
The  tire  hydrant  system  with  independent  pumps  for  the  purpose  of 
keeping  individual  tanks  tilled  in  the  various  buildings,  should  be 
provided  for. 

I  have  enumerated  these  various  points  for  the  purpose  of  showing, 
that  although  the  main  building  will  be  the  first,  and  possibly  the  only 
institution  of  learning  to  be  immediately  built,  it  is  necessary  and  very 
important  that  it  should  be  located  with  reference  to  all  the  future  im- 
provements that  may  be  demanded  by  the  growing  institution,  and 
while  errors  in  this  will  always  be  regretted,  they  cannot  be  remedied. 

The  necessary  preparation  for  the  grounds  includes  the  clearing  and 
burning  of  the  growth  of  timber  and  roots,  the  saving  of  the  upper  soil 
where  the  same  is  to  be  graded;  the  draining  where  necessary,  the 
enriching  and  deepening  of  the  soil  where  planting  is  to  be  done,  and 
the  saving  of  all  materials  useful  for  building  or  constructing  the  walks 
and  drives.  It  will  be  a  matter  of  economy  to  immediately  improve  a 
small  portion  of  the  better  land,  and  plant  therein  for  transplanting  the 
shade  trees  that  will  be  needed  in  the  near  future. 

A  considerable  portion  of  the  timber  now  standing  is  good  for  cord 
wood,  and  should  be  saved;  there  is  also  considerable  good  timber  and 
piling  upon  the  tract  which  should  be  saved. 

I  would  strongly  urge  the  advisability  of  doing  all  of  this  work  by  days' 
labor  under  your  immediate  direction,  as  I  consider  that  by  this  means 
you  can  obtain  just  the  kind  of  work  you  wish  done. 

I  caused  warning  notices  to  be  posted  upon  the  lands  to  prevent  the 
removal  of  timber,  gravel,  sand  and  such  materials  as  would  be  of  value 
in  construction.  In  company  with  your  architect,  Mr.  William  E.  Boone, 
I  assisted  in  locating  approximately,  the  site  for  the  administration 
building. 

On  August  10th  the  work  of  clearing  began  near  the  center  of  the  tract, 
the  small  trees  and  undergrowth  being  first  slashed  until  views  of  both 
lakes  were  obtained,  and  the  main  building  site  was  then  finally  located  and 
the  timber  clearing  began.  Only  twenty  men  were  employed  at  first,  and 
the  number  gradually  increased  as  applications  were  made  by  good  labor- 
ers. The  general  orders  for  the  clearing  of  the  land,  were  as  follows: 

Work  begins  7:30  A.  M.,  ends  12  M. —  one-half  day. 

Work  begins  1  P.  M.,  ends  5  P.  M. —  one-half  day. 


36  WASHINGTON  STATE  UNIVERSITY 

No  less  than  one-half  day  will  be  counted. 

Men  over  twenty-one  years  of  age,  wages  $2.25  per  day. 

Men  under  twenty-one  years  of  age,  wages  $1.25  per  day. 

Water  boys,  $4  per  week. 

The  best  of  the  small  houses  on  the  Lake  Union  front  was  immediately 
made  secure  as  a  temporary  tool  house.  All  tools  and  other  property 
were  branded  or  stamped  "S.  of  W."  Several  test  holes  were  sunk  in 
order  to  determine  the  properties  of  the  ground  for  heavy  foundations. 

The  water  supply  question  was  thoroughly  considered  by  the  board, 
and  in  pursuance  of  instructions,  I  made  a  careful  study  of  the  subject  of 
artesian  supply,  and  submitted  the  following  regarding  the  proposition 
of  a  permanent  well,  then  entertained  by  the  board: 

The  superior  advantages  of  a  successful  artesian  well  for  water  supply 
purposes  are  acknowledged  by  experts  of  all  countries.  There  is  econ- 
omy, convenience,  unlimited  supply  and  possibly  abundance  of  power. 
There  is  no  other  known  system  of  water  supply  \vhich  can  claim  so 
much,  excepting,  perhaps,  where  the  consumers  are  in  the  vicinity  of  an 
elevated  natural  water  course.  Even  then,  there  are  chances  of  pollution 
by  up-stream  residents,  freezing  in  winter  and  drouth  in  summer,  and  as 
the  inhabitants  of  the  world  have  not  yet  concluded  to  quit  quarreling, 
the  elements  of  safety  and  security  in  times  of  invasion  or  siege,  offer 
good  argument  for  the  artesian  well. 

There  are  over  10,000  flowing  wells  in  the  western  United  States,  a 
large  number  of  which  are  at  high  altitude  or  otherwise  apparently  un- 
favorably located.  In  the  Denver  basin  250  out  of  350  wells  are  flowing. 
Out  of  1,400  flowing  wells  sunk  in  one  basin  400  now  need  pumping — the 
result  of  partially  draining  the  source  of  supply  by  the  large  number  of 
wells. 

The  Puget  Sound  basin  lies  between  the  Cascades  and  Coast  ranges. 
It  is  of  secondary  formation,  rolling  and  deeply  furrowed  by  water 
action.  It  is  traversed  north  and  south  by  an  enormous  fracture  known 
as  Puget  Sound,  which  at  points  is  over  160  fathoms  in  depth.  The 
mountain  streams  en  route  to  the  Sound  have  cut  deep  canons,  exposing 
the  formation  and  assist  in  locating  the  line  of  sandstone  cropping. 
From  the  general  surface  topography  of  the  country  it  is  possible  to  lo- 
cate a  probable  line  of  artesian  supply  running  to  the  point  where  the 
experiment  is  to  be  made,  and  along  this  line  to  note  the  various  for- 
mations. 

The  depth  to  which  the  pipe  must  be  sunk  is  a  very  uncertain  element 
in  its  construction,  and  it  is  only  possible  to  estimate  upon  it  by  sound 
reasoning.  The  formation  of  the  basin  is  favorable  to  artesian  con- 
ditions, showing  successive  strata  of  clay,  hardpan,  gravel  and  sand, 
sometimes  with  fractures  and  faults,  but  generally  nearly  parallel  with 
the  surface.  Artesian  water  would  be  confined  between  the  impervious 
strata  which  form  the  floor  and  roof  of  its  natural  conduit,  and  the  whole 
sloping  with  the  inclination  of  the  basin  to  the  point  where  we  propose 
to  tap  it.  The  pressure  given  at  the  well,  of  course,  depends  upon  the 


MAP   OF   THE  STATE   UNIVERSITY    (JR(H"XI»S 

SHOWING  THE  FINAL  IMPROVEMENTS  CONTEMPLATED  KOI;  wmcii  THE  GRADING  AND 

WAS 


LAND  AND  BUILDING  COMMISSION.  30, 

elevation  of  the  source  and  the  absence  of  faults  or  other  leaks  in  the 
confining  strata. 

It  is  probable  that  the  lower  sandstone  formation  will  be  found  at  a 
depth  of  1,500  feet  at  the  university  grounds,  and  if  this  estimate  is  cor- 
rect, that  will  be  about  the  maximum  limit  of  depth.  It  will  be  observed 
that  the  university  lands  are  located  in  a  smaller  basin  within  the  large 
basin.  This  smaller  basin  is  very  irregular  in  shape,  and  accounts  for 
the  presence  of  Samamish  lake,  Samamish  river,  Lake  Washington, 
Lake  Union,  Salmon  Bay  and  Smith's  Cove.  The  elevation  of  these 
lakes  above  the  Sound  indicates  the  presence  of  a  supporting  impervious 
stratum,  which  is  consequently  impervious  to  upward  pressure  as  well. 
There  can  be  ten  strata  as  well  as  one,  and  one  hundred  as  well  as  ten,  all 
overlying  the  sandstone,  and  it  would  seem  probable  that  there  would 
exist  at  least  one  artesian  lake  patiently  awaiting  its  destiny  in  the  boil- 
ers, laboratories,  aquariums  and  gymnasiums  of  the  future  university. 

It  is  evident  that  all  strata  containing  artesian  water  lying  above  the 
greatest  depth  of  Puget  Sound,  discharge  into  the  Sound.  The  axis  of 
the  small  basin  above  referred  to,  if  projected,  would  reach  a  point  where 
the  Sound  is  deepest,  and  from  which  it  shoals  both  north  and  south. 
This  is  an  illustration  of  the  well  known  fact  that  the  sub-contours  of  the 
Sound  are  similar  in  their  features  to  the  contours  of  the  adjacent  lands, 
but  it  is  also  an  indication  that  we  will  have  to  drill  1,000  feet  for  artesian 
water  unless  some  favoring  fold  or  fault  in  the  strata  were  by  accident 
tapped.  It  also  might  happen  that  in  one  of  the  upper  artesian  currents 
(which  discharge  into  the  Sound)  there  would  be  sufficient  head  or  pres- 
ure,  at  the  point  tapped,  being  five  miles  above  its  outlet,  to  force  a 
stream  above  the  surface. 

In  my  opinion  the  chances  are  great  that  water  will  be  struck  before 
the  1,500  feet  limit  is  reached,  and  that  the  water  will  be  good.  The 
best  that  could  happen  would  be  a  supply  of  water  at  the  surface  with  a 
pressure  of  fifty  pounds  per  square  inch,  which  would  give  first  class 
building  and  hydrant  service  and  a  balance  left  for  power. 

I  recommend  that,  as  soon  as  practicable,  the  construction  of  a  four- 
inch  artesian  well  be  commenced  at  a  point  400  feet  to  the  northwest  of 
the  location  of  the  administration  building  site.  Aside  from  accidents, 
such  a  well  would  cost  from  $3.50  to  $5.00  per  foot,  according  to  the 
materials  encountered,  and  would  take  a  month  for  ever  500  feet  of 
depth. 

Specifications  accompanied  the  report,  which  was  illustrated  by  chart 
of  the  region  and  ideal  profiles. 

On  September  16th,  I  submitted  to  the  board  the  following: 

The  site  selected  for  the  main  building  by  your  architect  and  engineer 
having  been  confirmed,  I  procured  from  the  architect,  Mr.  Boone,  a 
ground  plan  and  had  it  staked  out  upon  the  ground  and  found  that  our 
conclusions  as  to  the  position  and  datum  to  be  used,  were  correct.  As 
this  structure  is  the  architectural  center  of  the  buildings  contemplated, 
the  importance  of  locating  it  correctly  is  apparent.  It  occupies  a  posi- 
tion ( as  shown  on  the  engraving  herewith  )  at  the  north  end  of  a  straight 
line  of  buildings,  and  from  this  point  the  line  of  buildings  curves  to  the 
right  (  east)  and  terminates  on  a  knoll  overlooking  the  waters  of  Lake 


40  WASHINGTON  STATE   UNIVERSITY 

Washington.  Several  preliminary  surveys  were  run  over  this  line,  and 
it  has  been  finally  located  and  staked  upon  the  grounds.  I  have  profiled 
and  cross-sectioned  it  and  found  that  the  best  and  most  suitable  grade 
will  have  a  dip  from  south  to  northeast  of  ten  feet  in  the  total  length  of 
2,000  feet.  The  earth  to  be  moved  will  be  about  54,000  yards  and  will 
cost  on  the  average,  twenty  cents  per  yard.  I  am  strongly  in  favor  of 
doing  all  this  grading  immediately,  for  the  following  reasons: 

1.  It  is  the  least  that  can  be  done  to  give  first-class  building  sites. 

2.  Should  any  further  grading  be   considered  advisable,   it  will   be 
immediately  apparent  and  can  be  done  before  the  erection  of  the  second 
building,  and  without  loss  of  time  or  money. 

3.  The  main  building  will  occupy  such  a  position  that  to  grade  for  it 
would  mean  to  move  at  least  one-half  that  amount  of  earth,   and  at 
probably  seventy  per  cent,  of  the  cost  of  the  grading  of  the  entire  site. 

4.  During  the  erection  of  the  main  building,  it  will  give  increased 
space  for  working  and  greatly  facilitate  the  work. 

It  will  be  wise,  during  the  progress  of  the  grading,  to  separate  for  use 
in  the  near  future  such  gravel,  sand  and  surface  earth  and  loam  as  will 
be  needed  for  the  enriching  of  the  new  surface,  and  the  making  of 
proper  drives.  This  matter  will  be  given  attention. 

The  area  which  it  is  proposed  to  improve,  is  about  25  acres.  The 
"bight"  of  the  building  line,  partially  encloses  a  campus  of  about  30 
acres,  on  which  comparatively  little  grading  is  necessary,  as  gentle 
slopes  nearly  conforming  with  the  present  contour  will  give  the  best 
effect. 

The  board  ordered  the  work  begun  immediately,  and  pushed  with  all 
speed  to  take  advantage  of  the  spell  of  good  weather  which  precedes 
the  rain.  So  I  secured  the  largest  stump  puller  in  the  state  and  the  serv- 
ices of  its  inventor,  and  in  four  days  it  was  in  operation  and  doing  good 
work.  The  cost  was  sixty-five  dollars  per  day,  and  the  result  about  fifty 
stumps  per  day.  As  many  as  eighty  hitches  can  be  made,  but  rotten 
stumps  break  and  require  second  or  third  hitches.  I  received  offers  for 
teams  and  scrapers  from  various  contractors,  the  highest  figures  being 
$6  per  day,  and  the  lowest  $4.25  per  day.  I  gave  this  work  to  J.  N.  Foye 
&  Son  Co.  at  the  following  figures: 

For  each  scraper,  with  team,  harness  and  teamster $4  25  per  day 

For  each  plow,  with  team  harness  and  teamster 5  00    " 

During  all  this  time  a  crew  of  carpenters  were  busy  erecting  the  tem- 
porary quarters,  consisting  of  a  mess  house  and  kitchen,  bunk  house, 
stable,  blacksmith  shop  and  powder  house.  A  temporary  well  was  sunk 
18  feet  and  gave  a  sufficient  supply. 

On  October  10th  I  received  instructions  from  the  board  by  telegraph 
from  Olympia  to  stop  all  work.  This  was  only  nine  days  after  the  or- 
ganization was  complete  and  the  large  force  of  men  all  working  to  ad- 
vantage. The  daily  report  of  October  10th  was  as  follows: 

Number  of  men  chopping 13 

Number  of  men  sawing  10 

Number  of  men  rolling 23 

Number  of  men  grubbing 12 

Number  of  men  burning 4 

Number  of  men  stumping 9 

Number  of  men  blasting 1 

Total  number  clearing 72 


LAND  AND  BUILDING  COMMISSION. 


Number  of  men  plowing  ......................................................................................      3 

Number  of  men  scraping  ....................................................................................    16 

Number  of  men  dressing  ....................................................................................      2 

Total  number  grading  ..............................................................................    21 

Number  of  foremen  .............................................................................................  7 

Number  of  teamsters  ..............................................................................................  7 

Number  of  watchmen  ...........................................................................................  1 

Number  of  blacksmiths  ........................................................................................  2 

Number  of  cooks*  ..................................................................................................  1 

Number  of  waiters*  ................................................................................................  1 

Number  of  water  carriers  ....................................................................................  2 

Number  of  carpenters  ...........................................................................................  10 

Number  of  officers  ..................................................................................................  3 

Engineer  corps  .........................................................................................................  3 

Number  of  horses  ..................................................................................................  45 

Number  of  wagons  ......................................  ....................  ......................................  3 

Number  of  wheel  scrapers  .................................................................................  9 

Number  of  drag  scrapers  .....................................................................................  5 

Number  of  plows  ...................................................................................................  2 

TOOLS. 

Number  of  axes  ......................................................................................................  34 

Number  of  mattocks  .............................................................................................  6 

Number  of  picks  ....................................................................................................  11 

Number  of  shovels  .................................................................................................  9 

Number  of  peavies  ....................................................  .............................................  28 

Number  of  saws  ...................................................................................................  5 

Number  of  brush  hooks  ........................................................................................  6 

Number  of  augurs  ................................................................................................  2 

Number  of  sledges  ..........................................................  ".  ......................................  2 

Number  of  wedges  ................................................................................................  3 

Number  of  scythes  .................................................................................................  1 

Number  of  bellows  ..............................................................................  .................  1 

Number  of  spring  boards  ................................  2 

Number  of  vices  .....................................................................................................  1 

Number  of  grindstones  .......................................................................................  1 

Number  of  ladders  ...............................................................................................  1 

*  Not  paid  by  the  state. 

[SEAL.] 

I  submit  herewith  a  drawing  of  the  ultimate  improvement.  It  is,  of 
course,  understood  that  the  board  only  contemplates  the  erection  of  the 
main  building  and  dormitories  immediately,  but  it  was  absolutely  neces- 
sary to  have  a  fixed  idea  to  work  to  in  order  that  the  work  now  done 
might  conform  to  the  final  result  as  desired. 

A  building  located  for  itself  alone,  would  not  be  suited  to  the  grand 
perspective  when  other  improvements  followed:  The  light,  heating  and 
water  system  would  also  need  constant  changing  or  modifying,  unless 
properly  laid  at  the  outset  to  suit  the  final  plans. 

The  administration  building  occupies  the  most  commanding  site,  fac- 
ing the  east,  with  a  beautiful  view  of  Lake  Washington  and  the  Cascade 
mountains.  In  the  immediate  foreground  a  campus,  nearly  level,  with  a 
chapel  at  the  south  end.  The  dormitory  site  is  just  south  of  the  adminis- 
tration or  main  university  building,  and  has  a  view  of  both  lakes.  It 


42  WASHINGTON  STATE  UNIVERSITY 

overlooks  the  botanical  and  experimental  gardens  which  lie  south  of  the 
botanical  hall.  To  the  north  of  the  main  building  is  chemical  and  physi- 
cal ball,  which  is  connected  by  a  corridor  with  the  structures  comprising 
the  power  house,  manual  training  sheds  and  school  of  mines.  The  latin 
and  legal  hall  is  next  in  line,  and  is  separated  from  the  library  and  art 
hall  by  a  small  ravine  over  which  the  walk  crosses  upon  a  bridge. 
Southeast  of  the  library  is  the  astronomical  observatory,  located  upon  a 
knoll  and  commanding  a  view  from  the  transit  house  due  north  and  south. 
It  is  as  far  as  possible  from  all  disturbances.  The  club  and  boat  house 
site  is  on  the  point  north  of  the  observatory,  and  in  front  of  it  is  the 
wharf  and  boat  landing.  A  drive  leads  up  the  hill  to  the  gymnasium  in 
front  of  which  is  an  eighth  mile  running  track.  The  hill  slopes  are 
graded  off  in  the  form  of  a  small  fortress  for  the  use  of  military  students, 
and  a  low  ramp  forms  a  safe  wall.  North  of  the  railroad  is  a  field  for  the 
national  game. 

The  county  roads  are  diverted  to  cross  the  lands  to  the  rear  of  the 
main  line  of  buildings,  and  are  partly  hidden  by  shrubbery  and  natural 
woods.  The  main  boulevard  enters  from  the  south  through  an  arch  and 
gate,  and  immediately  commands  a  view  of  all  the  buildings  in  per- 
spective. It  follows  the  building  line  as  far  as  legal  hall,  where  a  down 
grade  to  the  wharf  begins  and  the  drive  passes  under  the  front  bridge. 
Walks  connect  the  buildings  and  contour  the  lake  front,  and  a  broad, 
straight  promenade  leads  from  the  entrance  of  the  administration  build- 
ing across  the  campus  and  descends  the  bench  by  steps  and  landing  of 
neat  architecture. 

Other  landscape  features  include  natural  woods,  an  aquatic  garden 
with  a  breakwater  in  the  little  bay  south  of  the  boat  house,  and  an  aqua- 
rium on  the  lake  front  near  the  southeast  corner  of  the  campus. 

It  is  very  probable  that  many  changes  in  the  details  will  be  made  as 
the  improvement  progresses,  but  the  contour  of  the  grounds  has  fixed  the 
general  arrangement,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  lands  could  be  found  better 
suited  to  the  purpose.  The  walks  and  drives  will  offer  beautiful  and 
ever  changing  views,  and  the  total  result  will  be  as  dignified  and  elegant 
as  the  standing  and  prosperity  of  the  State  of  Washington  demands. 

EXPENDITURES. 

Labor $6,855  61 

Lumber  for  temporary  buildings 4!)2  27 

Hardware,  tools  and  explosives 476  12 

Stationery. ...  24  05 


$7,848  05 

COST  IN   DETAIL. 

Clearing $4,078  76 

Building  trestle,  railroad  switch 960  00 

Stumping 7<)7  25 

Grading <i77  33 

Carpentering 342  35 

$6,855  61 


LAND  AND  BUILDING  COMMISSION. 


Clearing,  cost  per  acre  $62  70 

Stumping,  cost  per  acre  .........................  ...............................................  66  44 

Grading,  cost  per  yard  ..............................................................................  89 

The  above  represents  the  following  work: 

Area  underbrushed  and  cleaned  up,  76  acres. 
Area  cleared  and  burned,  56  acres. 
Area  stumped  and  grubbed,  12  acres. 
Amount  earth  moved,  7,560  cubic  yards. 
Crib  trestle  for  railroad  switch,  500  feet. 
Buildings,  roads,  well,  etc. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  the  cost  of  moving  earth  per  yard  is  only  about 
nine  cents,  while  my  estimate  was  twenty  cents.  This  is  accounted  for 
by  the  fact  that  much  of  the  earth  is  to  be  moved  twice,  that  the  best 
soil  may  be  left  upon  the  finished  grade. 

It  was  this  which  led  me  to  so  strongly  urge  the  improvement  of  the 
entire  site,  that  the  low  places  which  contained  the  best  soil  might  not  be 
covered  up  with  several  feet  of  pan  and  gravel,  as  would  be  the  case  if 
the  main  building  site  was  graded  alone. 

The  railroad  trestle  is  a  cross-cribbing  of  fir  and  cedar  logs  about  ten 
feet  in  height  and  about  500  feet  in  length.  It  was  made  from  the  timber 
felled,  and  answers  the  double  purpose  of  bridging  the  railroad  switch 
over  the  low  ground  behind  the  main  building  site,  and  stores  for 
future  use  about  500  cords  of  wood.  It  is  at  present  located  so  as  to 
switch  cars  to  the  first  foundation,  but  can  be  moved  as  occasion  demands. 

The  temporary  buildings  accommodate  sixty  men  and  thirty  teams. 
Room  is  provided  for  doubling  the  sleeping  capacity  of  the  bunk  house 
should  occasion  demand.  The  blacksmith  house  contains  a  brick  forge- 
The  powder  house  is  of  double  thickness,  with  tar  paper  on  all  sides,  top 
and  roof.  No  iron  was  used  on  the  inside  sheeting.  Its  capacity  is 
3,000  pounds. 

It  will  be  readily  understood  that  the  first  ten  days  of  a  work  of  this 
magnitude  cannot  be  considered  indicative  of  the  skill  employed  in  man- 
agement, but  an  examination  of  the  figures  will  show  that  the  results 
compare  very  favorably  with  all  work  of  similar  character.  The  class  of 
labor  employed  was  of  the  best,  and  discharges  for  incompeteucy  were 
few.  The  men  were  from  Seattle,  Fremont,  Latona,  Brooklyn  and  Kent. 

The  sudden  stopping  of  the  work  so  soon  after  its  complete  organiza- 
tion was  deplorably  expensive  to  the  state,  as  it  required  time  to  find 
each  man's  best  abilities  and  use  them  to  advantage.  Where  the  running 
expenses  are  over  three  hundred  dollars  per  day,  stopping  and  starting  is 
costly. 

I  believe  it  to  be  demonstrated  that  day's  labor  is  cheaper,  better  and 
more  satisfactory  than  contract  labor,  especially  on  work  of  this  nature. 
Good  discipline  and  strict  methods  are  possible  only  when  the  work  is 
under  immediate  control. 


44  WASHINGTON  STATE   UNIVERSITY 

THE   STUMP  PULLER. 

This  machine  created  considerable  interest  on  the  grounds  and  re- 
ceived favorable  comment  from  progressive  men,  as  well  as  criticism  from 
the  advocates  of  powder  and  cheap  labor.  It  consists  of  a  heavy  steel 
frame  on  runners,  on  which  is  horizontally  mounted  a  powerful  geared 
chain-wheel  which  engages  and  pulls  the  main  chain  of  the  machine.  In 
operation  the  puller  is  anchored  by  a  back  cable  to  the  foot  of  a  large 
stump  and  from  this  one  "set  up"  all  the  stumps  within  a  circle  of  seven 
or  eight  acres  can  be  pulled  without  change  of  location.  We  used  a  double 
sweep  and  four  horses,  which  gave  sufficient  power  with  the  gearing  to 
pull  any  stump  on  the  ground  with  ease.  Experiments  have  shown  that 
stumps  of  ten  foot  firs  are  readily  pulled.  The  largest  stump  pulled  on 
the  ground  had  a  spread  of  the  roots  of  42  feet,  and  required  twenty 
minutes  to  pull. 

EXPENDITURES. 

The  total  amount  expended  by  the  board,  and  for  which  the  audi- 
tor has  issued  either  warrants  or  certificates  of  indebtedness,  is 
twenty  thousand  two  hundred  and  sixty-five  dollars  and  fifty-five 
cents  ($20,265.55). 

The  warrants  include  twelve  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy- 
two  dollars  and  sixty-nine  cents  ($12,872,69)  of  this  amount;  the 
certificates  of  indebtedness,  seven  thousand  three  hundred  and  ninety- 
two  dollars  and  eighty-six  cents  ($7,392.86). 

The  board  has  on  hand  furniture,  working  tools,  etc.,  which 
cost  thirteen  hundred  and  fourteen  dollars  and  thirty-four  cents 
($1,314.34). 

The  foregoing  figures  cover  all  items  up  to  January,  1893. 

CONCLUSION. 

The  extended  extracts  from  the  record  of  our  proceedings  which 
have  been  copied  into  this  report  reveal  the  chagrin  and  disappoint- 
ment with  which  the  compulsory  cessation  of  work  on  the  con- 
struction of  the  new  university  was  received  by  the  board.  We 
had  an  earnest  desire  to  erect  first  rate  buildings  at  the  lowest 
possible  cost,  and  to  save  the  university  from  making  a  ruinous  and 
irretrievable  sacrifice  of  the  landed  property  still  in  its  possession. 
In  pursuit  of  these  objects,  we  were  zealously  vigilant,  and  spared 
no  pains.  The  act  creating  the  board  overlooked  an  important  con- 
stitutional restriction  upon  the  power  of  the  legislature;  an  over- 
sight not  to  be  wondered  at,  in  view  of  the  recent  adoption  of  the 
constitution,  and  the  brevity  of  the  time  at  the  disposal  of  the  leg- 


LAND  AND  BUILDING  COMMISSION.  45 

islature  for  the  careful  preparation  of  legislative  measures.  By 
this  unfortunate  oversight,  much  time  has  been  lost  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  a  noble  enterprise  which  will  redound  for  all  time  to  the 
glory  and  benefit  of  the  state. 

Respectfully  submitted.  JOHN  ARTHUR, 

[SEAL.]  President  pro  tempore. 

Attest:     JAMES  R.  HAYDEX,  Secretary. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 

AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


WAV  9  iw: 

!QApr'58CS 

REC'D  ID 

MAR284Q5B 

1 

1 

LD  21-100m-7,'39(402s)  1 

Gaylord  Bros.,  Inc. 

Stockton,  Calif. 
T.  M.  Reg.  U.S.  Pat.  Off. 


M27764 


LP 


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